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
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
Fitur – International Tourism Trade Fair
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 travelers 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 travelers, as well as gain new insights and knowledge in the industry.
2020 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 travel businesses and the public 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
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
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
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
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
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 socialize with industry leaders. It’s Southern Europe’s biggest travel event, so expect a crowd.
Find more info here
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
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 a lot to learn at this niche conference.
Find more info here
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
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
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 travelers 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+ travelers 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 favorite 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 are 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 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
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
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
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
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
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
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
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
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
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
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
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
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
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
Download this list of 75+ of the best conferences to attend in 2020 and get a printable sheet version, or an easy to collaborate sheet to share with your colleagues and friends!
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.
Quick Jump
- Best Tourism Conferences 2020 by Month
- Fitur – International Tourism Trade Fair
- Matka – Nordic Travel Fair
- Travel & Adventure Show
- Natour Alpe Adria
- Aime
- Business Travel Show
- Travel Technology Europe
- ITB Global
- Women’s Travel Fest
- Web in Travel (WiT)
- Select Traveller Conference
- B Travel Trade Show
- Travel Technology Initiative
- Beer Marketing and Tourism Conference
- Travel and Words
- Digital Nomad Travel Conference
- International Luxury Travel Market – Worldwide
- World Trade Market
- International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association Global Convention
- Skift Forum
- Women in Travel Summit
- Africa’s Travel Indaba
- Digital Travel
- We Are Africa
- Tourism And Leisure Studies Conference
- Eye For Travel – Europe
- IPW Conference
- Analytics & AI in Travel North America
- Global Business Travel Association
- Traverse 20
- ITT Conference
- PRSA Travel and Tourism Conference
- Future Travel Experience
- Digital Travel Summit
- International Conference on Sustainable Tourism
- Global Travel Marketplace
- TECNZ Tourism Conference
- Inbound 2020
- Travel Writers and Photographers Conference
- PATA Travel Mart
- Travel Mart Latin America
- World Youth and Student Travel Conference
- Vestnorden Travel Mart
- TBEX North America
- Travel Industry Exchange
- TTG Travel Experience
- International Tourism Film Festival
- Travel Forward
- GBTA Conference 2020
- Phocuswright Conference
- Top Travel and Tourism Conferences 2020