ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) is a global catalog of invitation-only events that bring together top international buyers to discover the most luxurious travel experiences. ILTM hosts two flagship global events in Cannes and Asia Pacific, as well as three key regional events: ILTM Arabia, ILTM Latin America, and ILTM North America. Over the past 23 years, ILTM Cannes has experienced consistent growth, evolving into an iconic event for the luxury sector, particularly in the realm of high-end travel planning.
bnetwork is the official accommodation management partner for ILTM Cannes. In the December 2024 edition, bnetwork managed 74 hotels and processed more than 3,100 bookings and more than 12,000 hotel nights. This solidified their position as a key contributor to the success of this global gathering.
the 23rd edition of ILTM Cannes, held in December 2024, welcomed more than 9,500 delegates, marking the highest attendance in the history of the luxury travel fair. The event took place at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes and hosted 2,350 buyers from 84 countries and 2,350 exhibiting brands from 105 countries. The 10 main countries represented by buyers, advisors, and agencies were the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, China, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
ILTM Cannes also introduced for the first time tourism brands from new countries such as Australia, Egypt, and Mauritius, as well as destinations that had returned after a hiatus, such as California, Brazil, Oman, Japan, and Croatia. Also present were renowned luxury brands such as Accor, Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Leading Hotels of the World (LHW), and Marriott.
a high-value event
as in previous editions, buyers and exhibitors met in person to discuss business, forge connections, and finalize important deals. It is estimated that over 83,000 appointments were scheduled throughout the week.
according to Alison Gilmore, Portfolio Director of ILTM at RX Global, “The value of ILTM to the travel sector lies in the pure number of senior buyers and sellers that we bring together in Cannes over three days. Nowhere else in the world do you get so many quality people in one place at one time. Nowhere else in the world do so many quality individuals gather in one place at the same time.” There are numerous reasons for ILTM’s success, but Pierre-Louis Renou, General Manager of the Hotel Carlton Cannes, highlights the perfect ecosystem created by the organization: “Cannes is a unique destination for this type of event. You’d be hard-pressed to find similar destinations that offer the same ease. All the hotels are next to each other. You’re facing the Mediterranean. You’re within walking distance of the Palais. You have all the restaurants and all the expertise in terms of events in town, which is quite amazing.”
a top-tier organization
bnetwork is the official partner for managing all event accommodations. Only the combination of cutting-edge technology and the expertise of their hotel, booking, and guest management team allows to achieve the highest level of effectiveness. According to Christine Welter, President of the Cannes Hotel Association, “We are used to hosting incredible events in Cannes, and I must say that ILTM is to us what the film festival is to the city – the most important event in the luxury travel industry. We have travel experts from all over the world coming to Cannes to meet with their partners, hear about new developments, and stay up to date. And between you and me, hoteliers and travel agents are the most difficult clients in the world to deal with.”
he seamless coordination is a testament to bnetwork’s expertise in managing large-scale events in Cannes. Jean-Michel Arnaud, President of the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès Cannes, acknowledges this pivotal role, stating, “The organization of bnetwork makes it possible to offer the best service to the organiser, while also ensuring the best experience for hoteliers.”
in addition to accommodation management, bnetwork, who has been supporting the organization of this important event since its inception, provides RX Global with a variety of logistical and creative services. From attendee transportation to the production of the closing event, the local team provides a comprehensive, high-level service. Alison Gilmore, Portfolio Director for ILTM, also highlights this, stating, “We cannot do what we do without bnetwork. They make it very easy. They are an extension of the ILTM team, and we love working with them.”
a bright future
the evolution of recent editions and the results of ILTM 2024 suggest a bright future for the event. According to Stéphane Filone, CEO of bnetwork, “Cannes is definitely the edition that makes the difference. Everyone wants to come. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a waiting list to attend ILTM.” Similarly, Charles Richez, General Manager of Le Majestic Cannes, states, “ILTM has very good long-term perspectives. It is truly a show that brings together all the major players. I have no doubt that ILTM will be a success in the medium and long term.»
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