This week, a glittering roster of the world’s most influential luxury travel advisors and global hospitality leaders gathered for the highly anticipated ILTM North America 2024. With a lineup that reads like a who’s-who of the industry, the event has firmly established itself as the ultimate forum for luxury travel professionals seeking new opportunities and partnerships across North America and beyond.
Hosted at the luxurious Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas, ILTM North America welcomed a staggering 525 top-tier exhibitors and 525 elite travel agents from 250 cities worldwide. Approximately 70% of the attending agents hailed from the United States, 20% from Mexico, and 10% from Canada, with a notable 55% making their debut at the event. Over three days, from September 23rd to 26th, the meticulously curated program facilitated more than 28,000 pre-scheduled one-on-one appointments, setting a new standard in relationship-building and deal-making within the luxury travel sector.
An Unmatched Networking Experience
Luxury Travel Advisors Welcomed to ILTM North America 2024.
Beyond the structured meetings, exclusive parties, elegant dinners, and vibrant networking events were held at various venues across the sprawling Baha Mar Resort. The relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere allowed participants to engage with one another more personally, forging deeper connections essential for driving business growth in this highly competitive industry.
The event also featured a high-profile delegation of North America’s most influential editors and writers, including all eight Conde Nast Traveler editors, underscoring the significance of ILTM North America as a hub for trendsetting in luxury travel.
Enthusiastic Praise from Attendees
Luxury travel advisors and exhibitors alike were quick to commend the high calibre of this year’s event. Limor Decter, a luxury travel advisor with Embark Beyond, shared her excitement, noting that while she’s a veteran of ILTM Cannes, this was her first experience at ILTM North America. “The event is exceptionally approachable, incredibly relevant, and definitively high-end,” said Decter. “These are the industry’s secret sources—the people making the magic happen. I’m already looking forward to next year, especially with including PROUD Experiences.”
For Eduardo Santoy of Mexico’s ANTE, attending his third ILTM event was inspiring. “The meetings just keep getting better and better. I don’t know how ILTM manages to find such remarkable new products show after show,” he remarked. “And the event’s digital tools, like the app, make the experience seamless and efficient.”
Lauren Wright from the US-based Carefree Travel & Lifestyle Concierge, attending for the first time, was equally impressed. “This event has been fabulous—exceptionally well organized. I’ve met with incredible suppliers I didn’t even know existed, and I’m already developing partnerships that will resonate strongly with my clientele,” she shared enthusiastically.
Michael Roque, a senior advisor at Canada’s Envoyage, highlighted the value of connecting with suppliers who are specifically interested in expanding into the Canadian market. “This event has opened countless doors for us. ILTM North America is not just a gateway to global access, but it’s clearly attuned to the needs of Canadian luxury travelers.”
Exhibitors Applaud the Event’s Impact
On the exhibitor side, glowing testimonials further reinforced ILTM North America’s reputation as a premium networking platform. Oliver Weibel of Switzerland Tourism noted, “We return to ILTM North America every year because the quality of advisors is exceptional. It’s the perfect platform to position Switzerland as a premier destination for high-net-worth travelers from key North American markets. Meeting the influential media attendees here has also been incredibly valuable.”
Bruce Loshusan, owner of the newly opened Potlatch Club in nearby Eleuthera, expressed his excitement about the event’s ability to connect him with top-tier agents. “The level of interest we’ve received from such high-end agents is truly remarkable. ILTM North America has successfully placed our new property on the map for this pivotal market.”
Kara A. Smith, representing Boston’s XV Beacon, praised the event’s effectiveness in reaching untapped markets. “This is our first time at ILTM North America, and it’s been amazing. I’ve met so many advisors from cities we wouldn’t have reached otherwise, including Idaho, South Dakota, and Wyoming. By the end of the first day, I already had three solid leads, one of which resulted in a booking for this weekend!”
Looking Ahead: ILTM North America Expands with PROUD Experiences 2025
Next year’s ILTM North America promises to be even more impactful, with the strategic integration of PROUD Experiences—a groundbreaking conference focused on inclusivity and diversity in luxury travel. The combined event, set to take place from October 6th to 9th, 2025, at Baha Mar, aims to empower luxury travel professionals to address the most pressing issues around representation and inclusivity.
Simon Mayle, Event Director for ILTM North America, expressed his excitement about the future. “By incorporating PROUD Experiences, we’re creating a unique opportunity for the industry to engage in meaningful conversations around inclusivity. The luxury travel sector must lead by example, and next year’s event will provide the perfect platform for these critical discussions.”
An Unmissable Event for the Luxury Travel Industry
With unparalleled access to elite travel advisors and an agenda designed to inspire collaboration and innovation, ILTM North America is set to solidify its position as a must-attend event for the global luxury travel community. Exhibitors and advisors looking to expand their reach into the lucrative North American market are already marking their calendars for next year’s event, anticipating another round of high-level networking and business opportunities.
As luxury travel continues to evolve in response to shifting consumer preferences, ILTM North America remains at the forefront, curating an environment where the best in the business can connect, collaborate, and shape the future of luxury travel.
For more information on ILTM North America and its upcoming events, visit www.iltm.com.
Written by: Karuna Johnson
