Best Tourism and Travel Conferences Happening in 2020

For anyone working in the travel industry, conferences can be a lifesaver. An excuse to get out of the office, put the laptop down for a few hours and network with others who share your love for travel.

Different people get very different things out of travel conferences. But whether you’re looking to make new deals, discover new innovations, learn new skills, or just enjoy some networking, there are some really exciting travel industry conferences in 2020.

We’ve put together this comprehensive list of conferences happening all over the world in the next year. Have a look at which ones you don’t want to miss and start planning your trip now.

Best Tourism Conferences 2020 by Month

January: Fitur – International Tourism Trade Fair

February: Travel Technology Europe

March: B Travel Trade Show

April: ITB Global, India

May: Digital Nomad Travel Conference

June: PRSA Travel and Tourism Conference

July: International Conference on Sustainable Tourism

August: Inbound 2020

September: World Youth and Student Travel Conference

October: TBEX North America

November: Travel Forward

Fitur – International Tourism Trade Fair

Dates: 22 – 26 January 2020

Location: Madrid, Spain

Fitur is held every year in Madrid. It is one of the biggest tourism fairs in the world, and an ideal gateway to Latin-American markets. Fitur draws an international crowd of tourism professionals and travellers alike. It provides a platform to develop strategies for consumer demand and communication.

The first 3 days of the conference are for trade visitors only, with doors opening to the public on Saturday and Sunday. Visitors can use this conference to network with other tourism professionals and travellers, as well as gain new insights and knowledge in the industry.

This year is Fitur’s 40th birthday, and is bound to be the biggest yet.

Find more info here

Matka – Nordic Travel Fair

Dates: Public – 17 – 19 January 2020; Trade visitors – 15 – 19 January 2020

Location: Helsinki, Finland

Being the largest travel conference in Northern Europe and the Baltic Region, Matka attracts over 1000 exhibitors each year. These exhibitors travel to Finland from more than 80 different countries across the world, allowing for a diverse crowd. The conference is open to both public and trade buyers, with two days dedicated to the professionals.

The main aim behind Matka is for tourism trade professionals to learn about new products and services. As well as make valuable connections, and gather information on the ever-moving innovations of the travel industry.

Find more info here

Travel & Adventure Show

Dates: 8 – 9 February 2020

Location: Chicago

Dates: 18 – 19 January 2020

Location: San Diego

Dates: 11 – 12 January 2020

Location: Boston

Dates: 15 – 16 February 2020

Location: Los Angeles

Dates: 22 – 23 February 2020

Location: Denver

Dates: 14 – 15 March 2020

Location: Philadelphia

Dates: 7 – 8 March 2020

Location: Washington DC

Dates: 21 – 22 March 2020

Location: San Francisco

Dates: 28 – 29 March 2020

Location: Dallas

The Travel and Adventure Shows are a series of exhibits across the USA. Visitors have the option to catch the show closest to them.

Discover new travel destinations across the globe, and take the chance to rub shoulders with some big travel celeb names. This travel event brings the public and travel businesses together.

Find more info here

Natour Alpe Adria

Dates: 29 January – 1 February 2020

Location: Ljubljana, Slovenia

An opportunity to network with travel industry leaders in the Alps region, as well as learn more about responsible green travel and ecotourism. The event is open to the public, exhibitors and media personnel.

Find more info here

Aime

Dates: 17 – 19 February 2019

Location: Melbourne, Australia

This is the leading meetings and event industry trade conference in the Asia Pacific region. Decision-makers in the event industry connect with each other during this three-day event to share, connect and do business.

Find more info here

Business Travel Show

Dates: 26 – 27 February 2020

Location: Olympia, London

The largest business travel conference in Europe will be back in 2020. This conference is very business-oriented, so it’s the perfect place to find suppliers and network. As well as an opportunity to grow your business knowledge. Attend conferences that will challenge and teach you to innovate and grow.

Find more info here

Travel Technology Europe

Dates: 26 – 27 February 2020

Location: Olympia, London

One of the top travel tech conferences in 2020. This is a short, two-day travel conference with over 5000 attendees and more than 30 conference sessions. It’s focused on technological development in our ever-growing industry.

Travel professionals looking for technology solutions to the industry’s current problems can find all the latest tech info at this conference. It’s a gathering place of refreshing ideas and exciting opportunities.

Find more info here

ITB Global

Dates: 4 – 8 March 2020

Location: Berlin, Germany

Dates: 15 – 17 April 2020

Location: Mumbai, India

Dates: 13 – 15 May 2020

Location: Shanghai, China

Dates: 21 – 23 October 2020

Location: Singapore

ITB conferences are taking place in 4 different destinations this year. The conference is a great place for B2B travel trading and gives visitors a taste of future travel and tourism trends.

The three-day conference is exciting and informative, a great way to get exposure to the respective markets and the ideas that are shaping them.

Find more info here

Women’s Travel Fest

 

Dates: 06 – 08 March 2020

Location: New York, USA

A conference just for ladies who love to travel. It’s been growing since 2013 and has become the largest consumer travel conference for women. Join more than 30 amazing female speakers and network with other like-minded women.

This conference is an incredible opportunity to make good connections and upskill in all the right areas.

Find more info here

Web in Travel (WiT)

Date: 13 March 2020 – WiT Indie

Location: Penang, Malaysia

Date: 7 April 2020 – WiT Middle East

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Date: 23 – 24 April 2020 – WiT Seoul

Location: Seoul, South Korea

For anyone interested in travel technology, distribution and marketing, this conference will bring it all into one room. Join the masses as you get the opportunity to meet with others in the travel-tech and marketing space, and gain new insights into the industry.

Find more info here

Select Traveller Conference

Dates: 22 – 24 March 2020

Location: Cheyenne, Wyoming USA

This conference aims to boost the relationship between travel clubs and travel loyalty programs. If you are in the industry and hoping to increase your club membership, or add value to your loyalty program, this is the place to be.

Find more info here

B Travel Trade Show

Dates: 27 – 29 March 2020

Location: Barcelona, Spain

The tourism trade show is a really great all-round travel conference and trade fair. You’ll learn a lot, be introduced to world-class products and ideas, and socialise with industry leaders. It’s Southern Europe’s biggest travel event, so expect a crowd.

Find more info here

Travel Technology Initiative

Dates: 26 March 2020

Location: London, England

TTI continues to establish and maintain technology standards within the travel industry. This conference is the main event of the year, where all the big travel tech names come together. Learn about the technological trends that will affect your business and the greater travel industry.

Find more info here

Beer Marketing and Tourism Conference

Dates: 4 – 6 March 2020

Location: Florida, USA

Whether you brew, sell or simply enjoy beer, you’ll be welcomed at this conference. The event brings to light all the ways in which beer breweries can help with a location’s tourism department. It’s an uncommon conference on our list of travel expos, but an enjoyable, and often very beneficial one.

Find more info here

Travel and Words

Dates: 3 May – 5 May 2020

Location: Oregon, USA

A conference built on passion and voluntary work. The Travel and Words event is a great place for travel writers, bloggers and destination marketers to get together. Here, they can discuss the future of travel marketing in media and print.

Its focus is on freelance travel writers in the Northwest. Ideal for exposure to potential new markets.

Find more info here

Digital Nomad Travel Conference

Dates: 23 – 24 May 2020

Location: Berlin, Germany

Digital nomads can unite together at this annual conference. For anyone who works remotely and travels frequently, you’re sure to find your tribe here. Whether you’ve reached your nomadic goals, or just starting out, there’s lots to learn at this niche conference.

Find more info here

International Luxury Travel Market – Worldwide

Dates: 20 – 21 April 2020

Location: Dubai

Dates: 5 – 8 May 2020

Location: Sao Paulo

Dates: 18 – 21 May 2020

Location: Singapore

Dates: 21 – 24 September 2020

Location: Riviera Maya

Dates: 28 – 30 October 2020

Location: Shanghai

Dates: 7 – 10 December 2020

Location: Cannes

The ILTM conferences showcase the ultimate luxury travel brands to handpicked travel advisors in different regions. It is here that luxury and travel combine to display fantastic holiday opportunities in each country.

Find more info here

World Trade Market

Dates: 31 March – 2 April 2020

Location: Sao Paulo, Brazil – WTM Latin America

Dates: 6 – 8 April 2020

Location: Cape Town, South Africa – WTM Africa

Dates: 2 – 4 November 2020

Location: London, England

WTM hosts thousands of travel professionals in multiple locations each year.

The Latin America WTM showcases the best of Latin America to the rest of the world. Travel agencies, service providers and travellers themselves will all congregate together to see the best of Latin American Tourism.

WTM Africa does much the same, except for the African Continent. All tourism industry people, from hotel owners to tour guides, and everyone in between will meet under one roof to share and expand their network and knowledge.

WTM London will be celebrating 40 years in 2020 and is bound to be host to many travel and tourism professionals. Here, you can connect and mingle with the industry’s top people, as well as learn more about the world of travel and tourism.

Find more info here

International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association Global Convention

Dates: 6 – 9 May 2020

Location: Milan, Italy

The IGLTA tourism convention exists to connect the LGBTQ community with gay-friendly travel and tourism brands, suppliers and buyers. There are interesting educational workshops and numerous networking receptions for all attendees.

IGLTA also runs events around the world for LGBTQ+ travellers, and promotes equality and safety within the tourism industry.

Find more info here

Skift Forum

Dates: 24 – 25 March 2020

Location: London – Skift Forum Europe

Dates: 2 – 4 June 2020

Location: Singapore – Skift Forum Asia

Dates: 21 – 23 September 2020

Location: New York City – Skift Global Forum

Skift Forums provide a space for innovative leaders in travel and tourism to come together and share, gain and develop new ideas. With research-driven actionable insights, amazing speakers, and a great opportunity to network, it’s one of our favourite travel marketing conferences in 2020.

Find more info here

Women in Travel Summit

Dates: 1 – 3 May 2020

Location: Kansas City, USA

Dates: 16 -18 October 2020

Location: Gdansk, Poland

A wonderful conference for women in the travel and tourism industry. There will be brands, influencers and creators. Visitors are able to attend workshops and talks on travel, directed specifically to the ladies. A great opportunity for travel writers and influencers who want to expand their monetization strategies and learn from others.

Find more info here

Africa’s Travel Indaba

Dates: 12 – 14 May 2020

Location: Durban, South Africa

Africa’s tourism and travel industry is showcased well at this annual event. With exhibitor booths for suppliers of travel services and products. Buyers, media and the public can enjoy a first-row-seat to the best that Africa has to offer.

This conference is geared more towards businesses (like tour operators and travel agents) than travel writers.

Find more info here

Digital Travel

Dates: 18 – 20 May 2020

Location: Indian Wells, California, USA

One of the best travel conferences for travel executives, Digital Travel caters to their niche perfectly. With big keynotes and small face-to-face discussions around customer engagement and personalization, you’re bound to come away with creative new strategies to grow your business.

Find more info here

We Are Africa

Dates: 18 – 21 May 2020

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Featuring the luxurious side of African tourism, the event hosts both an African and International audience. It focuses on rebranding Africa as a top luxury destination, with exciting investments and luxury products.

Find more info here

Tourism And Leisure Studies Conference

Dates: 18 – 19 May 2020

Location: Dubrovnik, Croatia

This conference offers a space for travel industry professionals to discuss matters within the industry. Past, current and future trends, issues and innovations are presented and debated with like-minded individuals.

This is a great conference for those looking to change their business model and adapt to relevant tourism in the new decade.

Find more info here

Eye For Travel – Europe

Dates:  TBA

Location: London, England

Industry leaders are invited to this conference to learn about what the future of travel holds. Especially ways on how to keep travel customers happy, from AI to dynamic packaging and everything in between.

Find more info here

IPW Conference

Dates: 30 May – 3 June 2020

Location: Las Vegas, USA

IPW is where U.S. travel exhibitors connect with travel buyers and media from more than 70 countries. To showcase their products and build relationships. It’s a national showcase of what America has to offer, and brings in a great deal of tourism to the country.

Find more info here

Analytics & AI in Travel North America

Dates: 1 – 2 June 2020

Location: San Diego, USA

Tackling some major ideas in the travel and tourism industry, this conference is for big thinkers and leading innovators interested in making the industry even better than it already is. It has a big focus on data-driven marketing and the future of AI in travel. This means it’s not for everyone, but ideal for certain business models.

Find more info here

Global Business Travel Association

Dates: 8 – 10 June 2020

Location: Toronto, Canada

Canada’s largest conference for business travel and management professionals. Attracting over 900 attendees, the event is a fantastic way for travel innovators to showcase their latest products and services to industry professionals. It’s comparatively small-scale, making it best for networking.

Find more info here

Traverse 20

Dates: 22 – 24 June 2020

Location: San Francisco, USA

This travel conference is aimed at bloggers, influencers, YouTubers and other content creators. The vibrant festival combines travel and technological innovation. Digital content creators from around the world will gather and learn, progress and develop new ways to show off the world of travel.

Find more info here

ITT Conference

Dates: 8 June 2020

Location: Istanbul, Turkey

The Institution of Travel and Tourism conference is held each year to provide a space for all those in the tourism industry to discuss and share. You can find guidelines on how to be a professional in the industry, as well as support and advice on your travel career. And enjoy some networking with others in the industry.

Find more info here

PRSA Travel and Tourism Conference

Dates: 7 – 10 June 2020

Location: Spokane, Washington

An event created by travel communicators for travel communicators. This is the perfect place for those in travel media and marketing to gain new insights and share their own knowledge of the industry.

This travel conference is truly ideal for travel bloggers and journalists. Dive into trending content ideas, share best practices, and expand your network.

Find more info here

Future Travel Experience

Dates: 3 – 4 June 2020

Location: Dublin, Ireland

Dates: 1 – 2 September 2020

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Dates: 10 – 11 November 2020

Location: Singapore

Learn more about the future of travel and hear from hundreds of airline and hotel representatives. Whether you attend the Global event, the Asian event, the European event or all three – there is much to learn and many faces to network with. It is, as the name suggests, all about forward-moving tech and industry.

Find more info here

Digital Travel Summit

Date: 8 – 9 June 2020

Location: London, England

All things digital and travel combine perfectly in this two-day event held in London. Along with industry-leader speakers, there are workshops, presentations, and small group sessions. As well as over 400 other digital travel professionals to network with.

Find more info here

International Conference on Sustainable Tourism

Date: 8 – 10 July 2020

Location: Madrid, Spain

This research-led conference focuses on the social and environmental impact of tourism. Participants aim to find ways to protect places impacted by tourism through active collaboration and innovative solutions. It’s a valuable travel conference if you’re looking to improve your own or your company’s role and impact.

Find more info here

 

Global Travel Marketplace

Date: 31 July – 2 August 2020

Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

This travel conference is an appointment-only event connecting influential travel advisors with travel suppliers. It’s small-scale, and tends to lead to a lot of exciting new business deals.

Find more info here

TECNZ Tourism Conference

Dates: 12-13 August 2020

Location: Plymouth, New Zealand

TECNZ Tourism Conference is for anyone interested in making partners and learning about New Zealand’s tourism innovations and trends.

Find more info here

Inbound 2020

Dates: 18 – 21 August 2020

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Inbound is a yearly conference where big ideas are shared and expanded. It’s all about actionable strategies for growth and improvement. And with nightly parties, you’re likely to make good friends with your new connections.

Massive and exciting, it can be a little daunting. But there’s a surprising opportunity to make close connections and brainstorm your niche challenges.

Find more info here

Travel Writers and Photographers Conference

Dates: 20 – 23 August 2020

Location: Corte Madera, California, USA

More niche than most options on our list, this conference is the perfect place for all travel writers and photographers to come together and expand their knowledge and skills.

Hosted by Book Passage, there is bound to be a world of knowledge to be shared over the 3-day event. With workshops, panels, and evening activities, you’ll come away with actionable insights and a lot of new contacts.

Find more info here

PATA Travel Mart

Dates: 3 – 6 September 2020

Location: Leshan, China

Pacific Asia Travel Association hosts the PATA travel mart each year. This allows sellers, buyers and other tourism industry professionals in the Asia-pacific region to meet, greet and network. There is also a public day, when traders can meet visitors and exhibit their products.

Find more info here

Travel Mart Latin America

Dates: 23 – 25 September 2020

Location: Lima, Peru

A long-standing conference showcasing Latin American tourism. This is a great place for tour operators, wholesalers, meeting planners and incentive companies to meet and share their businesses. As well as an expo of all travel and tourism opportunities in Central and South America.

Find more info here

World Youth and Student Travel Conference

Dates: 22 – 25 September 2020

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

For professionals who work in youth and student travel, this conference is a must. Hosting over 150 buyers, representing 100 countries and offering workshops and networking events aplenty, this conference is definitely worth its time.

Find more info here

Vestnorden Travel Mart

Dates: 6 – 8 October 2020

Location: Iceland

An extremely important trade show for the North Atlantic region; this travel conference allows B2B trading and networking for all travel professionals in and around Iceland, Greenland and the Faroes Islands.

Find more info here

TBEX North America

Dates: 7 – 9 October 2020

Location: Lafayette, Louisiana, USA

TBEX has quickly become the largest conference and networking event for content creators, travel brands, and industry professionals. Partnering with fantastic destinations across the globe, and attracting hundreds of delegates each year, this is a great place to network and do business.

Find more info here

Travel Industry Exchange

Dates: 7 – 9 October 2020

Location: Miami, Florida, USA

This is a great international tourism conference for travel agents to attend in order to network with suppliers and learn more about the industry. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for exhibitors to showcase their businesses and what they have to offer.

Find more info here

TTG Travel Experience

 

Dates: 14 – 16 October 2020

Location: Rimini, Italy

Anyone looking for a gateway to the Italian travel market should attend the TTG conference. With over 130 countries being represented, this is thought to be the largest B@B trade conference in Italy.

Find more info here

International Tourism Film Festival

Dates: 20 – 23 October 2020

Location: Viseu, Portugal

This unique event brings travel filmmakers and businesses together, showcasing industry greats and newcomers alike. It’s not a travel conference we all need to be at, but if you have a special talent for promotional travel films, or you’re looking for someone who does, check it out.

Find more info here

Travel Forward

Dates: 2 – 4 November 2020

Location: London, England

This is an exciting conference delving into technological developments in our field and connecting suppliers with buyers in a neutral environment. It’s fun, fast-paced, and will send you home with some exciting new ideas.

Find more info here

GBTA Conference 2020

Dates: 3 – 5 November 2020

Location: Frankfurt, Germany

One of the top travel conferences in 2020 for b2b exposure. You’ll learn about the latest trends in tourism, and make valuable new connections.

Find more info here

Phocuswright Conference

Dates: 16 – 19 November 2020

Location: Phoenix, Arizona, USA

A great place for travel leaders and travel influencers to meet and discuss the latest innovations in the travel and tourism industry.

Find more info here

Top Travel and Tourism Conferences 2020

2020 is an exciting year for travel, with new solutions and innovations always breaking ground, and a global public itching to explore.

So, get your passports and visas ready, and make sure your bags are packed to go. Whether you’re picking only the best conference, or you’re ambitious enough to try and make them all, there is still time to plan well.