Tourism and Travel Conferences Happening in 2019

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.

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.

Fitur – International Tourism Trade Fair

Dates: 23 – 27 January 2019

Location: Madrid

Fitur is held every year, in Madrid. It is the leading trade fair for inbound and outbound Ibero American markets and draws an international crowd of tourism professionals and travellers alike.

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.

Find more info here

Matka – Nordic Travel Fair

Dates: Public – 18 – 20 January 2019; Trade visitors – 16 – 20 January 2019

Location: 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 a specific day dedicated just for the professionals.

Find more info here

Travel & Adventure Show

Dates: 12 – 13 January 2019

Location: Chicago

Dates: 19 – 20 January 2019

Location: San Diego

Dates: 9 – 10 February 2019

Location: Boston

Dates: 16 – 17 February 2019

Location: Los Angelos

Dates: 23 – 24 February 2019

Location: Denver

Dates: 09 – 10 March 2019

Location: Philadelphia

Dates: 16 – 17 March 2019

Location: Washington DC

Dates: 23 – 24 March 2019

Location: SF/Bay area

Dates: 30 – 31 March 2019

Location: Dallas

These Travel and adventure shows are a series of shows across the USA. Starting in Chicago and ending in Dallas, 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.

Find more info here

Enter2019

Dates: 30 January – 01 February 2019

Location: Cyprus

Enter2019 comes to Cyprus for all those who are wanting to stay up-to-date on tourism trends, global problems in the industry, research topics and the future of travel and tourism in general. With local authorities, international company representatives and technology experts all gathering together in order to pool together their knowledge and ideas.

Find more info here

Natour Alpe Adria

Dates: 30 January – 2 February 2019

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

Select Traveller Conference

Dates: 10 – 12 February

Location: Indiana

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

Aime

Dates: 18 – 20 February 2019

Location: Melbourne

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: 20-21 February 2019

Location: Olympia, London

The Largest show for European business travel will be back in 2019. In 2018, 96% of the visitors, both enjoyed the show and mentioned the time well spent out of the office. Join this corporate travel show to meet new suppliers, partners, and speakers!

Find more info here

Travel Technology Europe

Dates: 20 – 21 February 2019

Location: Olympia, London

Travel professionals looking for technology solutions to the industry’s current problems can find all the latest tech info at this conference.

Find more info here

ITB Global

Dates: 6 – 10 March 2019

Location: Berlin

Dates: 15 – 17 May 2019

Location: Shanghai

Dates: 16 – 18 October 2019

Location: Singapore

ITB conferences happen in 3 different destinations throughout the year. The conference is a great place for B2B travel trading and gives visitors a taste of future travel and tourism trends.

Find more info here

Women’s Travel Fest

Dates: 08 – 09 March 2019

Location: New York City

A conference just for ladies who love to travel. It has been growing since 2013 and there are plans for 2019 to be the biggest yet. Join more than 30 amazing female speakers and network with other like-minded women.

Find more info here

Analytics & AI in Travel North America

Dates: 14 – 15 March 2019

Location: San Francisco

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.

Find more info here

B Travel Trade Show

Dates: 22 – 24 March 2019

Location: Montjuïc, Barcelona

The tourism trade show is the place to be if you’re looking for everything there is to know about the future of travel.

Find more info here

Travel Technology Initiative

Dates: 21 March 2019

Location: TBC

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.

Find more info here

Beer Marketing and Tourism Conference

Dates: 26 – 28 March 2019

Location: Idaho

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 locations tourism department.

Find more info here

Travel and Words

Dates: 30 March – 2 April 2019

Location: Idaho

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.

Find more info here

International Luxury Travel Market – Worldwide

Dates: 7 – 9 April 2019

Locations: Cape Town, South Africa

Dates: 28 – 29 April 2019

Locations: Dubai

Dates: 14 – 17 May 2019

Locations: Sao Paulo

Dates: 27 – 30 May 2019

Locations: Singapore

Dates: 23 – 26 September 2019

Locations: Riviera Maya

Dates: 30 October – 1 November 2019

Location: Shanghai

The ILTM conferences showcase the ultimate luxury travel brands to handpicked travel advisors in the 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: 2 – 4 April 2019

Location: Sao Paulo – WTM Latin America

Dates: 10 – 12 April 2019

Location: Cape Town, South Africa – WTM Africa

Dates: 4 – 6 November 2019

Location: London

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 all meet under one roof to share and expand their network and knowledge.

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

Find more info here

Global Business Travel Association

Dates: 15 – 17 April 2019

Location: Ontario

Canada’s largest conference for business travel and meetings management professionals. Attracting over 800 attendees, the event is a fantastic way for travel innovators to showcase their latest products and services to industry professionals.

Find more info here

International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association Global Convention

Dates: 24 – 27 April 2019

Location: New York

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

Find more info here

Skift Forum

Dates: 30 April 2019

Location: London – Skift Forum Europe

Dates: 27 May 2019

Location: Singapore – Skift Forum Asia

Dates: 25 – 26 September 2019

Location: New York City – Skift Forum Global

Skift Forums provide a space for innovative leaders in travel and tourism to come together and share, gain and develop new ideas.

Skift Forum Europe will take place in London, and promises a panel of knowledgeable speakers, ready to share their wisdom with you.

Find more info here

Women in Travel Summit

Dates: 3 – 5 May 2019

Location: Portland, Maine

Dates: 8-10 November

Location: Riga, Latvia

A wonderful conference for women in the travel and tourism industry. There will be brands, influencers and creators, able to attend workshops and talks on travel, directed specifically to the ladies.

Find more info here

Indaba

Dates: 7 – 8 May 2019

Location: 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.

Find more info here

We Are Africa

Dates: 13 -16 May 2019

Location: Cape Town, South Africa

Featuring the luxurious side of African tourism, the event hosts both African and International audience.

Find more info here

Tourism And Leisure Studies Conference

Dates: 16 – 17 May 2019

Location: Florida International University, Miami

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.

Find more info here

Eye For Travel – Europe

Dates:  21 – 22 May 2019

Location: London

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: 1 – 5 June 2019

Location: Anaheim, California

IPW is where U.S. travel exhibitors connect with travel buyers and media from more than 70 countries to promote their product, negotiate future business and build relationships.

Find more info here

Traverse 19

Dates: 8 – 9 June 2019

Location: Trentino, Italy

This travel conference is aimed at bloggers, influencers, Youtubers and other content creators. 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: 10 June 2019

Location: Croatia

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 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: 16 – 19 June 2019

Location: Philadelphia

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.

Find more info here

Future Travel Experience

Dates: 18 – 20 June 2019

Location: Istanbul

Dates: 4 – 6 September 2019

Location: Las Vegas

Dates: 12 – 13 November 2019

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.

Find more info here

Digital Travel Summit

Date: 26 – 27 June 2019

Location: London

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

Find more info here

Travel Writers and Photographers Conference

Dates: 8 – 11 August 2019

Location: Corte Madera, CA

As the name suggests, this conference is the perfect place for all travel writers and photographers. Hosted by Book Passage, there is bound to be a world of knowledge to be shared over the 3-day event.

Find more info here

TBEX North America

Dates: 11 – 13 September 2019

Location: Montana

In its 10th year, TBEX has become the largest travel conference in the world. Partnering with fantastic destinations across the globe, and attracting hundreds of delegates each year, this is the best place for travel brands, DMOs and PR firms along with their clients.

Find more info here

Travel Industry Exchange

Dates: 18 – 20 September 2019

Location: New Orleans

Travel agents can attend this conference 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

Travel Mart Latin America

Dates: 18 – 20 September 2019

Location: Quito, Ecuador

A great place for tour operators, wholesalers, meeting planners and incentive companies to meet and share their businesses. As well as a showcase of all travel and tourism opportunities in Central and South America.

Find more info here

Vestnorden Travel Mart

Dates: 23 – 26 September 2019

Location: Faroe Islands

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

World Youth and Student Travel Conference

Dates: 8 – 11 October 2019

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

TTG Travel Experience

Dates: 9 – 11 October 2019

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

Web in Travel (WiT)

Date: 14 October 2019

Location: Singapore

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

Phocuswright Conference

Dates: 19 – 21 November 2019

Location: Florida

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

Digital Nomad Travel Conference

Dates: 2019

Location: TBC

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.

Find more info here

PATA Travel Mart

Dates: 2019

Location: Kazakhstan

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.

Find more info here

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