Thursday, January 2, 2025
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Top tourism expos, fairs and conferences in Europe 2025

Anush Bichakhchyan
Anush Bichakhchyan
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Overview of the most exciting tourism exhibitions, fairs, and conferences in Europe for 2025

I remember when I first traveled at six from my small hometown to a huge megapolis, it was the best feeling I ever had, the excitement that could be compared with a new Barbie doll. I’m no longer six but the excitement of exploring new still lights that sparkle in my eyes.

But how does my story have anything to do with tourism and expos? It’s just a short story about how childhood memory became a lifestyle, the best hobby that can bring tons of emotions, and, why not, profit because the travel industry is experiencing a significant uprise. We no longer talk about pre-pandemic tourism because in 2024 the sector saw a 7,2% increase, even amid all the political changes and instability worldwide. This year brought forward new travel destinations thanks to the availability of direct (and most important, affordable) flights. This kind of useful information is shared at different travel expos and conferences. And here is why, you, me, and businesses should consider participating in international travel expos next, 2025 year.

Why Participate in Tourism Expos and Conferences?

When planning a travel itinerary for the next destination, you will hardly think about attending an expo unless you want to present your company. However, such events provide a wealth of opportunities, both from a personal and a business perspective.

From a personal perspective

Imagine a place where everyone talks about travel, and shares experiences, and unique insights, and you have access to this information from travel trends to new destinations. You will leave the expo with knowledge, new connections, and exclusive deals for future destinations.

The beach view from the plane

From a business perspective

Here everything is more straightforward. Companies come to connect with industry players, build partnerships and generate business leads, showcase their products and services for visibility, understand competitors, gain certifications, and more.

2025 will be event-heavy around Europe with multiple expos and conferences. Save the dates and locations of those that sound interesting.

Overview of European travel shows and expos

Let’s explore the top tourism events happening in Europe throughout 2025 and plan your business and informative trips accordingly:

ITB Berlin

Overview: For more than 60 years, ITB Berlin has been one of the largest global travel trade shows, spotlighting tourism innovation, sustainability, and emerging markets. This five-day event will be focused on adventure and luxury travel, inclusivity, technologies, medical travel trends,  conferences, workshops, and tech showcases.

Attendance: Around 100,000 visitors, including 24,000 exhibitors from 190+ countries.

Why Visit: Generation Wanderlust, a dedicated exhibition area is focused on providing solutions and innovation for youth travel. 

City Highlights: Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island, Berlin Wall Memorial.

WTM London (World Travel Market)

Overview: One of the world’s most influential travel and tourism events will hold its 45th expo gathering global players of leisure travel for networking. This event is a catalyst for sustainable tourism promoting businesses to reach Net Zero. 

Attendance: Over 4000 exhibitors, 46.000 visitors from 184 countries. 

Why Visit: Access insights into global travel trends and forge connections with decision-makers.

City Highlights: Tower of London, British Museum, and West End theatre.

FITUR (International Tourism Fair)

Overview: One of the leading global trade fairs for inbound and outbound markets, is especially renowned for its Latin American tourism focus, alongside innovative travel sectors like LGBTQ+ and wellness tourism.

Attendance: Over 9000 exhibitors from 152 countries, 97000 visitors, and 153000 trade participants.

Why Visit: Explore a blend of business opportunities and cultural travel experiences in 10 specialized areas, including Fitur Sports, Fitur TechY, and Fitur Woman. 

City Highlights: Royal Palace, Prado Museum, and Mercado de San Miguel.

BIT Milan (Borsa Internazionale del Turismo)

Overview: A premier Italian tourism event will be focused on innovative solutions and strategies for overcoming industry challenges. Those three days will be focused on the hospitality and social potential of Gen Z travelers. 

Attendance: Over 1000 exhibitors from 66 countries, 8500 meetings, and hundreds of thousands of visitors. 

Why Visit: The spotlight will be the role of AI in travel personalization, operations optimization, sustainability, and improved customer interaction. 

City Highlights: Duomo di Milano, Sforza Castle, and the vibrant Navigli District.

TTG Travel Experience

Overview: A key hub for the Italian and Mediterranean tourism industries, TTG Travel Experience will showcase 9 themed arenas and 200 events focusing on innovation and emerging travel trends.

Attendance: 18000 confirmed meetings, 2700 exhibiting brands from 66 destinations, 55 startups in innovation, 

Why Visit: The B2B tourism marketplace is excellent for networking with Italian and international operators.

City Highlights: Rimini’s beaches, historic town center, and nearby San Marino.

Rendez-vous en France

Overview: French tourism constantly evolves and transforms and the best way to be in the spotlight is to attend international travel professionals rendez-vous focusing exclusively on French tourism. 

Attendance: 600 global operators from 70 countries and 13 regions, 25.000 business meetings planned, and 800 international buyers.

Why Visit: A unique chance to explore French travel insights that are now more focused on sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions. 

City Highlights: Notre Dame de Paris renovated and open to the public is still A must-visit place in Paris. 

IAAPA Expo Europe

Overview: The leading expo for the attractions industry that had tremendous success in 2024 is coming back with a bigger event with special travel and accommodation deals. The guests will explore innovative tech in theme parks, VR experiences, and entertainment centers.

Attendance: Networking opportunities Sith over 60.000 professionals, 400 exhibitors, and 90 hours of expert-led travel information. 

Why Visit: This event is an excellent opportunity to connect with industry leaders, boost brand visibility, gain sponsors, or simply be at the forefront of travel trends as a tourism enthusiast. 

City Highlights: Explore Barcelona in search of Antonio Gaudí’s works, unique pieces of Catalan Modernism. See the best dates for flights to Barcelona here. Are you planning a long stay in Barcelona and need a coworking space? Check out the list of coworkings in Barcelona here.

Arival 360 Europe

Overview: Bringing together all the best in travel, the creators and sellers of European tours, the event is a great experience for professionals and newbies in the travel industry to expand their network and establish valuable partnerships.

Attendance: 1,000+ professionals from tours and activity sectors.

Why Visit: Learn strategies to improve guest experience, grow in-destination offerings, and participate in plenary and breakout sessions.

City Highlights: Grab a dozen Buñuelos de calabaza with coffee or chocolate and go to Malvarrosa Beach to enjoy the sunset.

Seatrade Europe

Overview: Already a traditional annual event Seatrade Cruise is the gold standard for cruise professionals. Every year this event gathers thousands of industry suppliers and customers, big and small European cruise and river cruise industry members, to discuss sustainability, port infrastructure, and passenger trends.

Attendance: Over 5,000 professionals from 90+ countries, 60+ cruise line brands, and over 250 exhibitors.

Why Visit: “Cruising into tomorrow,” the event’s slogan and philosophy. Two days will be packed with innovation and luxury.

City Highlights: Ranking among the world’s top 10 travel destinations, Hamburg will keep attracting every second of your visit. Must-visit places are Elbphilharmonie, Miniatur Wunderland, and the Speicherstadt district.

Synergy – The Retreat Show

Overview: The fourth Synergy event will again focus on luxury wellness tourism and retreats. The show connects wellness brands, retreat leaders, and luxury resort representatives.

Attendance: Over 300 wellness professionals from 50+ countries experienced in the wellness and travel industry 30 meetings and unlimited opportunities.

Why Visit: Perfect for networking within the wellness and retreat tourism sector, and the Mediterranean travel experience is the icing on the cake. 

City Highlights: Snorkel in Santa Teres Gallura, stroll in the Castello quarter of Cagliari and get lost in Neptune’s Grotto. 

FERIEN-MESSE Wien 2025

Overview: Austria’s largest tourism fair, offering a mix of travel, tourism services, and adventure experiences, will open the travel year and mark another great year of travel experiences. The event also features workshops and presentations from tourism experts.

Attendance: Over 38,000 visitors and 450 exhibitors from 70+ countries with 32 trade fair hours to share their ideas, network, and gain partners.

Why Visit: This year the event will host a special event, Vienna Drive showcasing 200 vehicles of all types.

City Highlights: Get emotional checking on Gustav Klimt’s “The Kiss,” spend some time in MueseumsQuartier Wien, and smack the Sachertorte with hot chocolate. 

TT Warsaw

Overview: The international travel and tourism trade fair will gather under its roof travel agencies, airlines, hotels and resorts, and more to discuss travel, trending destinations, technology, and sustainability. 

Attendance: The event is expected to host over 20.000 visitors and 200 exhibitors from 54 countries.

Why Visit: The B2B networking zone is a place where you can connect to exhibitors for networking or lead generation.

City Highlights: Explore the Old Town Market Square, Royal Castle, and Łazienki Park.

MATKA Nordic Travel Fair

Overview: The largest travel fair in Northern Europe, is an all-in-one place both for businesses and travelers to talk about travel, sustainability, Nordic adventure, and wellness.

Attendance: Over 70,000 visitors annually, 13.000 travel industry professionals, and 900 exhibitors. 

Why Visit: Learn about unique Nordic offerings and trends in Arctic tourism, sunny destinations, tasty travel ideas, and more. 

City Highlights: Finnish sauna is a separate form of art you can’t miss. Visit Löyly to get the true Finnish sauna experience. 

ILTM Cannes (International Luxury Travel Market)

  • Location and Date: Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France; December 2–4, 2025
  • Official Website: ILTM Cannes
  • Registration: https://www.iltm.com/cannes/en-gb/enquire.html

Overview: The most prestigious event in luxury travel will be the end-of-the-year event of the upcoming 2025, connecting high-end travel brands with global buyers.

Attendance: Thousands of luxury travel professionals.

Why Visit: An unparalleled opportunity to network with the world’s leading luxury hotel brands, resorts, travel companies, cruises, and more.

City Highlights: Besides enjoying French Riviera gems Cannes will please visitors with a great shopping experience at Rue d’Antibes and Forville Market.

IMEX Frankfurt

Overview: This leading exhibition for the meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) industry offers extensive networking opportunities and educational sessions. The closing event is the Gala Dinner where connections can communicate in a non-formal environment.

Attendance: Over 14,000 participants, including 3,500 exhibitors from 150 countries and over 4000 meeting planners. 

Why Visit: It is ideal for professionals in the MICE sector to connect and discover new business opportunities.

City Highlights: Visit the Goethehaus to learn more about Faust, “get lost” in Frankfurt City Forest, and take a ride on Ebbelwei-Express.

6th International Conference on Tourism Management and Hospitality (ICTMH)

Overview: ICTMH is a prestigious event organized to provide an international platform for academics, researchers, and industry professionals to share their research findings in tourism management and hospitality.

Attendance: Global audience of tourism management academia, educators, and industry specialists.

Why Visit: A unique chance to dive into three-day intense learning, networking, and discussions.

City Highlights: Aside from places to go and things to see explore the other side of Paris by visiting Petite Ceinture, an abandoned railway line, Père Lachaise Cemetery, and Roger La Grenouille for frog-themed dishes. Paris flights calendar will help to find the best dates of flights and plan your trip to France.

ENTER eTourism Conference

Overview: The 32nd annual ENTER eTourism conference will bring together professionals from the tourism and IT industry to discuss and offer new solutions to make travel better. Organized by the International Federation for IT and Travel & Tourism (IFITT), this conference focuses on AI, IoT, sustainability, innovation, robotics, and more. 

Attendance: 500 delegates, academics, industry professionals, and policymakers from around the globe.

Why Visit: The event is designed to generate solutions for eTourism and offer a platform to network with experts in travel technology.

City Highlights: Explore the Market Square, Stare Jatki the former butcher street now lined with galleries and small artist shops, Ostrów Tumski, and the Centennial Hall. Check out the calendar of the best dates of flights to Wroclaw here.

HOTCO – Hotel Investment Conference CEE

Overview: HOTCO has already become a premier international hotel investment conference focusing on development hotspots in Central and Eastern Europe, new brands, concepts, success stories, and new investment opportunities. The 2025 theme is “How to Make Money in the Hotel Industry – Blueprint for 2030!” 

Attendance: Since its inception, HOTCO has attracted over 2,200 delegates from 38 countries, hosted over 40 industry leaders, and featured 350 speakers from four continents. 

Why Visit: Engage with industry leaders and explore investment opportunities in the hotel sector.

City Highlights: After exploring popular tourist attractions, find Vienna’s hidden treasure in Kriminalmuseum, a museum devoted to historical Viennese murders, Schloss Schonbrunn palace with its luxurious gardens, and Vienna sewer system with tunnels. Explore the best dates of flights to Vienna from any destination.

B-Travel

Overview: B-Travel is one of the most dynamic and experimental events that gathers industry leaders to share their innovative approach to travel. The concept of the international tourism fair is to show how to create personalized travel experiences, travel services, and products tailored to individual traveler interests like B-Happy, B-Special, B-Adventure, and B-Culture.

Attendance: Over 25,000 visitors, and 800 exhibitors from 35 countries.

Why Visit: This is a great platform for industry members to increase visibility and establish valuable partnerships. 

City Highlights: After exploring the top-rated sites, search for the Chocolate Museum with chocolate sculptures, the sewers of Barcelona, and traditional treats in Caelum. 

YITE – Yerevan International Tourism Exhibition

Overview: The Yerevan International Tourism & Related Industries Exhibition is a global event that brings travel industry representatives into the region to present top travel and hospitality products and services from local and international exhibitors.

Attendance: 5000 visitors and 250 exhibitors open to exchange ideas.

Why Visit: Stay updated on emerging trends in recreational tourism and network with global experts in the field.

City Highlights: Explore the finest collection of rare sculptures in the Cafesjian Sculpture Garden, find the traditional colors in the Vernissage souvenir market, and the oldest manuscripts in Matenadaran. Don’t forget to try the exclusive national dishes of Armenia. See the best dates of flights to Yerevan on this guide.

Anush Bichakhchyan
the authorAnush Bichakhchyan
Content writer
Anush is a freelance content writer and columnist. Writing on tourism and recreation, technology, high-tech and design industries.
All posts byAnush Bichakhchyan

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