Is this the "40th anniversary" effect, or simply a sign that the show has established itself as a must-attend event on the French market? Whatever the case, all the major players in the business travel industry turned out for this year's event. IFTM Top Resa 2018. This is evidenced in particular by the participation of the major hotel networks that will be taking up residence at the Club Affaires - Marriott, Louvre Hotels - or new players in the market such as Uberwhich will be exhibiting for the first time in this pavilion dedicated to business travel. Club Affaires is also giving increasing prominence to these rising stars of the market, with the arrival of players such as Bird Office, Dayuse and CarBookr.
This empowerment of new players illustrates one of the key areas of work for the organisers: keeping in step with new technological trends. For the first time, a whole floor will be devoted to the new Tech Zone. Located in Hall 7.3, this new area has been developed in conjunction with Amadeus will bring together all the show's "connected" players, and will include the Start-up Village, or "Travel Hub", the Digital Village and the Influencers Village. This is also where the second Hackathon will be held, on the key theme of "IArtificial Intelligence at the service of passengers". " We'll be more demanding than last year "warned Frédéric Lorin, Tourism Director, Reed Expositions FranceWe're looking for practical applications that deliver real added value.
The Tech Zone will not be the only new feature of this 2018 edition, which will also see the arrival of theArena Allianz TravelA new 360-seat, 360-degree events room, where 18 events will be held, including the show's opening conference.
the event has become a comprehensive showcase for the market, covering not only leisure but also business travel, MICE, group tourism and France
" The show remains a meeting place for all the players in the tourism family", explains Frédéric Lorin. " It's the only BtoB event of this scale to be recognised as a must-attend event in the tourism sector. The other common thread has been built up over the years: the show's initial DNA was very much focused on leisure, then along the way - and this is the show's stated strategy - the event became the exhaustive showcase for the market, covering not only leisure but also business travel, MICE, group tourism and France". he continues.
