Belfast to Host ExploreGB 2020 Travel Trade Show in May

VisitBritain’s largest annual travel trade event, Explore Great Britain (GB) and Northern Ireland, will next year be held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Belfast from 18 to 20 May.

Buyers and media from the UK’s largest inbound visitor markets including Australia, France, Germany and the US, are expected to attend as well as from Brazil, Canada, China, India and the GCC markets. They will meet and do business with travel industry suppliers from across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

Tourism Northern Ireland Chief Executive, John McGrillen, said, “Winning this very prestigious bid to host VisitBritain’s premier travel trade event presents a huge opportunity for Northern Ireland and we are very proud that Belfast was selected from a competitive list of cities throughout the UK. More than 200 highly influential international buyers from more than 30 countries will experience the best of Northern Ireland’s tourism and hospitality offering next May and discover first-hand what the destination has to offer their international visitors.”

As well as two-days of pre-scheduled one-to-one business appointments, buyers and media will attend seminars, workshops and networking events to boost their knowledge of the UK as a visitor destination. Delegates will also experience tourism products and services first-hand with pre-event educational trips to destinations across the country.

Tourism is worth more than £127 billion to the UK economy, creating jobs and boosting economic growth across the nations and regions.

VisitBritain Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said, “We are delighted to be bringing our flagship travel trade event to Belfast in 2020. From its world-class museums, iconic maritime history and stunning parklands to its thriving arts, music and culinary scene, Belfast is a fantastic destination to highlight the breadth and quality of our tourism offer to international buyers. Tourism is one of the UK’s most valuable export industries and also one of the most globally competitive, which is why ExploreGB and Northern Ireland is such a valuable business tool. It gives travel suppliers and destinations the chance to present their products to top global buyers, forge international business connections and ultimately inspire more visitors to book a trip to the UK, boosting local economies.”

Ascot, home to one of the most prestigious and famous racecourses in the world, hosted the inaugural Explore GB travel trade show in 2015. The annual event has also been held in Harrogate, NewcastleGateshead, Brighton and Liverpool.

See latest Travel News, Interviews, Podcasts and other news regarding: VisitBritain, Belfast, Ireland, Travel Trade Shows.