Spotlight on…British Tourism & Travel Show 2023
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British Tourism & Travel Show speakers announced: Keynote Theatre line-up revealed for major group travel showcase
On 22-23 March 2023, the British Tourism & Travel Show at the NEC Birmingham will play host to top experts, authorities and experienced group tour providers in the Keynote Theatre.
Just announced, the line-up gives coach tour operators and group travel organisers inspirational and expert guidance from across the full spectrum of the group travel trade.
Post-pandemic tourism, climate change and exploiting new trends will be among the topics covered by expert speakers on the two days of the UK group tourism industry’s biggest trade show.
Day 1:
The presentations will kick off on 22 March with hard data on the latest travel trends and new opportunities for tourism, as Alexander Göransson from Euromonitor delivers valuable market research to help coach tour operators and GTOs plan their tours for 2023 and beyond.
He’ll be followed by Clare Dwight from Visit Wales giving a session on how to use trails – heritage trails, music and literature trails, restaurant and distillery trails, and more – to enhance Welsh itineraries, exploring the country’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites and cultural riches using exciting themes.
Andy Headington of Adido, will show tour organisers how to generate more online bookings in the tourism bounce back, with case studies from tourism brands using digital marketing to increase sales and leads.
Next will be a panel session on ‘The Good and the Bad of the Group Welcome’, featuring consultant Stuart Render, R.B. Coach Travel’s Roger Bull, Acklams Coaches’ Louise Webster, and D.J. Thomas Coach Holidays’ Chris Morgan. This session will examine how staff shortages and other factors following the pandemic have impacted the quality of the welcome given to coaches and groups by attractions and destinations, and what needs to be done.
Day 2:
Wendy Hartley-Scarff, CEO of the Association of Group Travel Operators (AGTO), will get proceedings underway on day 2 (23 March), focusing on how GTOs are influencing climate change – including the environmental friendliness of coach travel, and choosing suppliers based on their green credentials.
Simon Jones from Navigate will then dive into the world of ‘experience culture’, with insight into why the concept has been so popular in tourism, how it’s evolving, and what it will look like over the next few years.
A Coach Tourism Association panel session will follow, focusing on new ideas for tour itineraries and themes.
Valuable learning opportunities
Lloyd Jones, Event Manager, says:
“We’re delighted to have some of the top names in the British group tourism sector speaking in the Keynote Theatre.
“The programme is a valuable part of the British Tourism & Travel Show, giving coach tour planners and group travel organisers excellent insights into key trends and business practices, which they can use to create compelling itineraries and tours.”
As well as the inspiring Keynote Theatre line-up, the British Tourism & Travel Show promises hundreds of brands, including more than 50 exhibiting for the first time, when it returns to the NEC Birmingham on 22-23 March 2023.
Hotels, visitor attractions, venues, top-rated tours, and destinations will showcase the best of Britain and Ireland for the groups market. Major new exhibitors include Aberglasney Gardens, Celtic Royal Hotel, Chorley Borough Council, Discover Melton, Visit Harborough, King Richard III Visitor Centre, Visit Leicester & Leicestershire, Visit Oswestry, Saundersfoot Harbour, Visit Shropshire, South Scotland Destination Alliance, and Wakefield Council.
British Tourism & Travel Show – free trade registration
The British Tourism & Travel Show is taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 22-23 March 2023.
For more information and to register for a free ticket, click the button below