There’s something rather satisfying about seeing the future of luxury travel taking shape – even more so when it’s happening at full throttle, well ahead of schedule. ILTM North America 2025, the annual who’s-who of luxury travel matchmaking, is already proving to be a magnet for discerning agents far and wide – and we do mean far and wide.
Registration only opened a month ago, yet a steady torrent of applications has come in from more than 200 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. And not just from the usual suspects like New York, Miami, Toronto or Mexico City. No, this year’s rush includes travel advisors from unassuming locales such as Fort Worth, Long Beach, Charlotte, Victoria, Halifax, and even Puebla – places not traditionally known for hosting legions of luxury jetsetters. It seems the luxury market is no longer confined to its historic silos.
From 6 to 9 October 2025, the tropical surrounds of the Baha Mar resort in the Bahamas will once again roll out the red carpet for the cream of the luxury travel crop. And in a progressive twist that feels very 21st century – but also, thankfully, here to stay – this year’s ILTM North America will co-locate with the increasingly influential PROUD Experiences, a pioneering platform spotlighting LGBTQ+ travel and lifestyle.
Yes, inclusivity is in – and it’s being done properly.
🌈 Enter PROUD Experiences
For the first time ever, the PROUD Experiences conference will serve as the official curtain-raiser to ILTM North America. This means, in practical terms, that LGBTQ+-focused travel advisors and exhibitors can register via a dedicated filter to ensure that meaningful connections are baked right into their one-on-one appointment diaries. Think fewer awkward introductions and more instant rapport—a matchmaking formula that works, especially in this community-driven niche.
And here’s where the corporate muscle comes in: Internova Travel Group has come aboard as the official sponsor of PROUD Experiences 2025.
“We are delighted to announce that Internova will be the official sponsor of PROUD Experiences at ILTM North America,” said ILTM Event Director Simon Mayle. “This allows us to extend the unique opportunity for luxury travel professionals to engage with the most current issues around inclusivity and representation in the sector.”
Well said, Simon. And it’s about time.
💼 Luxury, But Make It Diverse
Last year’s ILTM North America was no lightweight. The 2024 edition saw 525 handpicked exhibitors matched with 525 equally curated luxury travel advisors from 250 cities – 70% from the US, 20% from Mexico and 10% from the land of maple syrup and universal healthcare.
Each delegate walked away with a personalised appointment schedule (up to 28,000 meetings all told) crafted according to preferences and market alignment—the equivalent of speed dating for serious travel professionals. There were no time wasters here, just people in the business of creating magic.
Limor Decter of Embark Beyond waxed lyrical about her first ILTM North America experience, despite being no stranger to Cannes:
“This is my first ILTM North America – exceptionally approachable, so relevant and so very high end. The exhibitors are our secret sources – the contacts who make magic happen. I’m already looking forward to next year and so excited it’ll be alongside PROUD Experiences.”
Limor, we feel you.
Meanwhile, Karolin Troubetzkoy, owner of the sublime Jade Mountain in St Lucia, had her own endorsement:
“This is the first time I’ve attended ILTM North America in person. Absolutely all my appointments have been so impressive – the agents were knowledgeable, prepared and ready to book. ILTM has nailed the North American luxury market, and I’ll definitely be back next year.”
📅 Lock It In – But Do It Soon
The early enthusiasm is promising, but the clock is ticking. Agent registration closes on 29 July 2025, and given the fervour so far, latecomers risk being left out of the industry’s most exclusive diary.
Interested parties—whether seasoned veterans or up-and-coming boutique operators—can contact Simon Mayle at [email protected]. Just don’t dawdle.
After all, in luxury travel, as in life, the early bird gets the best room upgrade.
For more information on ILTM North America and PROUD Experiences, visit: 👉 www.iltm.com.
For more information on travelling to the Bahamas, visit: 👉 www.bahamas.com.
By Octavia Koo
