We asked a number of group travel organisers the question: why do you return, year upon year to the Group Leisure & Travel Show?
Here, they share their answers…
“I return to the GLTS because I like to meet new tour operators and attraction venues face to face. It’s great for discussing new ventures for the following 12 to 24 months.”
Lin Wilson, Solent Events & Leisure
“The Group Leisure & Travel Show is an easy commute for me, and I am able to talk to a great many people in the travel trade during the day.
What I find out helps me with planning my group’s activities for the following year.”
Pauline Johnson, Hinckley Social Theatre & Travel Club
“I love the Group Leisure & Travel Show, it attracts the very best in the business. And Group Leisure magazine is always full of ideas!”
Sylvia Saxon, Saxon Group Travel
“I keep coming back because it’s such a useful show and it keeps me up to date. I can meet up with my suppliers, find new ones, and catch up with other group travel organiser friends.
“It has a good, friendly atmosphere and I love the seminars and celebrity speakers. It’s really good to be able to ask questions of the experts, too.”
Janet Spooner, Travel Treats
“I go to get new contacts, and there is always new people, which is great. The GLTS is such a good day out.”
Andy Heath, Golden Days Travel Club
“The Group Leisure & Travel Show is a great opportunity to meet up with other GTOs and suppliers. It’s great being able to have that important one-to-one with some old and new contacts, and to swap ideas.”
Mary Gotts, Ver-Colne Valley U3A
What can you expect at this year’s Group Leisure & Travel Show?
As ever, visitors who come along to Hall 8 at the NEC on 20th October can expect to meet a range of exhibitors, including top attractions, tourist boards, accommodation providers, ticketing agencies, coach companies and tour operators – all ready to look after groups.
This year will see a number of new exhibitors at the show; you can find out more about them by clicking here. All your old favourites will be there, too – find out what stand each attraction will be on by visiting the Exhibitor List.
Also set to be a major highlight are the free Seminar Theatre sessions, which will feature top speakers and celebrity experts and give visitors the chance to ask their own questions, too.
This year’s line-up features Alexis Conran of The Real Hustle fame, and Eric Knowles, a well-known face in the world of antiques, particularly to viewers of Antiques Roadshow.
The seminar programme also includes actress and TV presenter Julie Peasgood, who will be sharing her choice of what she believes to be some of the best places to visit in Britain, and TV presenter and journalist Martin Roberts. Martin will be tackling travel conundrums by answering questions put forward by GLTS visitors – so get your thinking caps on ahead of his appearance.
You can read more about the Seminar Programme here.
Free bacon butties, a variety of free and discounted travel options to the NEC, an appearance from Miss England, the chance to win £2,000 in cash, and a display of seven coaches are yet more exciting features that visitors can enjoy at the GLTS on Thursday 20th October – and that’s not all.
There is a reason why the show is visited by GTOs time and time again. Come along and see for yourself – join us for our 20th anniversary exhibition.
