ILTM sets out hopes for return to Cannes

The event where international luxury travel buyers meet with brands, experiences and suppliers from around the world will take place at its usual home of Palais des Festivals et des Congres in the French resort town.

ILTM Cannes will take place from 6-9 December, with attendees following a rigorous diary of pre-scheduled, one-to-one appointments over three days, as well as being able to attend an opening forum and welcome party on the Monday and farewell party on the Thursday.

“Having returned from Cannes for a site visit, it was so good to see the city busy and the hotels buzzing and it felt great to be back at our French home,” said ILTM portfolio director Alison Gilmore. “Memories of coffee at sunrise and cocktails at sunset will be re-lived, but most of all ILTM Cannes 2021 will be about gathering together again – our global luxury travel industry needs a live reunion.”

She added that visitors are expected to attend from around 95 countries, with appointment scheduling starting “to take shape from October”. “For those who can’t make it, we will watch and see if the rules change, otherwise we will create a plan to connect buyers digitally with the suppliers who are there,” Gilmore added.

“Everyone at Relais & Chateaux is very excited about ILTM in Cannes this year. It will be great to reconnect with so many friends and colleagues and look to the future together again,” said Anthony Torkington, general manager of regular exhibitor Relais & Chateaux.

ILTM North America has been taking place this week in Mexico as the first of the portfolio’s usual round of events to take place in person – rather than virtually – this year.