CANNES, France -- There are a lot of things to look forward to every December at the International Luxury Travel Market, where a virtual who's who of upscale suppliers and travel advisors gather for three days of almost non-stop networking.
First, the location, with ITLM taking over both the Palais des Festivals et des Congres of Cannes, the site of the city's famed International Film Festival, as well as the string of luxury hotels and restaurants in this French Riviera playground. Then there are the breakfasts, dinners, yacht parties and receptions; catching up with old friends; and, of course, the meetings.
And while I welcome the opportunity every year to sit down with executives from the world's leading luxury players, one of my favorite parts is meeting the new and smaller travel companies introducing unique products in both established and far-flung destinations.
Among those who caught my eye this year, and who I promise to tell you more about in the future:
- Kontiki Expeditions, which is introducing luxury cruises along the coast of Ecuador that its founder says will offer an alternative to the increasingly crowded Galapagos Islands.
- Hotel the Mitsui in Kyoto, which touts being the first locally owned luxury brand to open in that city, and the only the one with an onsite onsen, which it happened upon by accident while building.
- The Museum Hotel in Antakya, Turkey, set amidst an archaeological excavation revealing five layers of mosaic treasures spanning 13 civilizations that was also unexpectedly discovered during construction.
They represent, however, just a just a fraction of the new and established luxury companies in attendance last week for the 18th annual ILTM, which has grown its portfolio to include six regional shows as well.
Still, Cannes is considered the flagship, and it just keeps on growing. This year, sponsor Reed Exhibitions reports more than 1,800 suppliers from 96 countries and 1,800 travel advisors from 76 countries held more than 70,000 meetings. That's more than quadruple the number of exhibitors and advisors at the inaugural event in 2002.
In total, more than 6,000 people attended this year's invitation-only ILTM, as exhibitors often bring teams of sales executives and general managers, some so big that companies like Marriott and Hilton now also rent off-site venues to supplement their meeting space on the trade show floor and host special meals and parties.