The annual Group Leisure & Travel Trade Show has enjoyed a successful 2011 presentation, with visitors and exhibitors enjoying two full days of fresh and inspiring group travel ideas plus great offers and new business contacts, in what is the biggest dedicated group travel event in the country.
Featuring a host of exhibitors ranging from coach and tour operators to accommodation providers, attractions and ticketing agencies, plus UK and international tourist boards, the exhibition appeals to anyone involved in group travel, from travel trade professionals to full-time and ad-hoc group organisers.
Following a trend of fast re-bookings over recent years, many exhibitors have already secured their stand at the 2012 show, and this looks set to continue further to a successful 2011 presentation. The 2012 Group Leisure & Travel Trade Show will take place on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th September in Hall 11 of the NEC, Birmingham.
Mark Jenkins of Riviera Hotels has been delighted by the quality leads gained at the show: “It’s the first time we’ve actually exhibited at the show and we’ve been absolutely amazed. On the first day we’ve taken over 46 really strong, genuine enquiries, from coach group operators and it’s been wonderful.”
Mike Newman representing the Group Travel Organisers Association commented: “It’s been an absolute pleasure to be here this year. It’s been a fantastic show - it’s always good and it comes at a very good time of year when GTOs are very proactive, and it’s a show that goes from strength to strength, year on year. Great to be part of it.”
Ann Hollingshead from Saga Holidays has also reported show success: “I’ve done a deal for 30 people for Spain next November. We’ve had a good show and it’s been great - thoroughly enjoyed it!”
Richard Woollis of Encore Tickets has been pleased with the mix of quality visitors to the show: “We’ve had different types of people to previous years with tour operators and travel trade coming, coach operators as well, and some very good GTOs - different types, from retired groups through to corporate sports & social clubs, and a couple of potential e-commerce clients.”
Julia Pearce of Daish’s Holidays added to the positive feedback, saying: “It’s been a really good show and it’s nice to come back. I’ve got loads of leads, and a few potential bookings so I think it’s been a very worthwhile show and I’ve really enjoyed coming back.”
The visitor response has been equally enthusiastic. Newly crowned Group Travel Organiser of the Year 2011, Andy Booth of Sainsbury’s Staff Association, Hertfordshire, said: “The show’s been a great opportunity for me to network with people. It’s opened up a lot of new avenues, and places that I didn’t even know existed including places in the UK as well. I’ve had my eyes opened to new potential group trips - which will be good for me to visit and for my group to do new things, and to see parts of the country that they haven’t seen before.”
Jacqueline Esama-John of Tailor Made Tours, London, commented: “I found this year’s show very good. There has been some international presence too so that was nice. I have found a lot of useful stuff for my organisation.”
Janet Sweeney of Travel Treats, based in Buckinghamshire added to this, commenting: “This is probably the fourth or fifth time I’ve been to the show and I’ve found it really good. Doing it over the two days is much more leisurely and I can spend my time talking to people. There’s lots of new people here, which is really good, and it’s lovely to bump into people that I know. And the award ceremony was absolutely wonderful.”
Sales manager, Sharon Yandell, has been thrilled by the positive response from exhibitors: “Once again we’ve had an amazing response from our exhibitors who have been delighted by the high quality of visitors, having succeeded in securing new business and strong sales leads. This has led to a fantastic impact on bookings for next year’s show with many exhibitors signing up already. If anyone’s interested in exhibiting at the 2012 show, now’s the time to get the position they want, so call me on 01908-613323 or e-mail sharon.y@yandellmedia.com.”
Issued 22nd September 2011
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