WWA Travel Trade Insights What do Travel Trade Buyers Think About Trade Shows & Workshops
This survey was e-mailed to Worldwide Attractions’ UK travel trade buyer contacts in July 2019. In addition to our UK travel trade buyer contacts, we also addressed the survey to our global Online Ticket Seller contacts as we manage these for a number of our clients. The results below are based on the 108 responses we received.
How important are meetings at trade shows/workshops for you when it comes to destinations and suppliers? Percentage of responses
2% 1%
23% 40%
34%
Very important Somewhat important Neither important nor unimportant Somewhat not important Not at all important
What are your top 3 targets when you attend a trade show? Number of responses
Sightseeing, tours and experiences 73
Tourist attractions 70
Destinations/Tourist boards 68
Hotels 54
Destination Management Companies/Receptive… 39
Transfers 11
Airlines/Train companies/Ferry operators/Coach… 9
Other 3
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Copyright belongs to Worldwide Attractions Ltd July 2019 Which European and North American Trade Show(s) are you likely to attend in the next 12 months? Number of responses
WTM London 2019 97
ITB Berlin 2020 34
IPW Las Vegas 2020 29
BTTS 2020 Birmingham 21
Rendez-Vous en France 2020 Nantes 19
Other 13
Arival EU 10
RVC Rendez-Vous Canada 2020 Québec City 10
Arival US 5
None 3
IFTM Paris 2
Brand USA Week London 2
Group Leisure and Travel Show 2019 Milton Keynes 2
ILTM Cannes 2019 2
ILTM North America 2019 Cancún 1
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
Do you prioritise meetings with existing or new suppliers? Percentage of responses
14%
18% 68%
Both Existing suppliers New suppliers
Copyright belongs to Worldwide Attractions Ltd July 2019 When you have a meeting at a trade show, how much do you value the following? Number of responses
100 87 80 58 60 49 40 43 40 19 20 7 10 11 0 Paper brochures, leaflets, Electronic marketing Giveaways and presents etc. material (USB stick)
Essential I could take it or leave it I would decline it
Why do you attend trade show networking events? Number of responses
Because of the networking opportunities it presents 96
Because I enjoy them 22
To show support to the host of the event 17
Because I am expected to 16
I don't attend them 10
To have fun with my colleagues 8
Other 3
Because the event venue is exciting 3
0 20 40 60 80 100 120
What was your most memorable meeting with a trade show exhibitor and why? Here is a small sample of the responses we received
“Done in a different venue and interesting networking.”
“Meetings that open up new tour concepts and destinations.”
“The most memorable meetings, truthfully, are rarely memorable for the right reasons!”
“When meeting a specific DMC at a regional tourist board event, who showed professionalism, quality of services and genuine interest in tailoring their products to our needs. He followed up our discussions very promptly and thoroughly after the event, resulting in a contract being made. I've been using this company now for 3 years, for two separate tours and would have no hesitation in giving them more business whenever the opportunity presents itself.”
“Meetings where I achieve something, for example a meeting with a DMC that offers a new opportunity that we can take forward.”
“Difficult to answer - it is about consolidating existing relationships and establishing new ones.”
Copyright belongs to Worldwide Attractions Ltd July 2019
This survey was completed by buyers from the following companies: (the others chose to remain anonymous)
365Tickets Kirker Holidays AC Group Majestic Tours Adaptable Travel Musement America As You Like It National Holidays American Holidays Newmarket Holidays ATD Travel Services OneStage Ltd Attraction World Purely America Battered Suitcase Railbookers BSpoke Tours/Cycling for Softies Railtrail Tours Ltd COGO Travel Rayburn Tours Expedia Local Expert Schools Into Europe Funway Holidays Shearings Holidays G Touring Ltd The Camping and Caravanning Club Galina International Study Tours The UK Holiday Group Ltd Galloway Coach Travel Thomas Cook GetYourGuide Tiqets Globetrotters Travel & Tours Titan Travel Hayes & Jarvis Tour2cruise.com Ltd Hello Paris/Global City Cards Tracoin Services Ltd Hospitality Line Ltd Trailfinders ICT/South Quay Travel Travel Republic If Only Holidays Limited Travelbound
Copyright belongs to Worldwide Attractions Ltd July 2019