{"id":224749,"date":"2026-06-11T11:24:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T09:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/?p=224749"},"modified":"2026-06-11T12:47:34","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T10:47:34","slug":"iftm-uzbekistan-business-records-club","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/iftm-uzbekistan-business-records-club","title":{"rendered":"IFTM: Uzbekistan in the spotlight, The Business Club as a key player"},"content":{"rendered":"

This year, the IFTM trade show will head for the Silk Road, for Samarkand and Bukhara. From 15 to 17 September, as always at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, the major event for leisure and business tourism professionals will be showcasing Uzbekistan, its UNESCO-listed historical gems, and its natural beauty, as well as its authenticity. This distinction is not only a recognition of our country's historical heritage, but also a fantastic opportunity to showcase a forward-looking Uzbekistan, which strengthens its position on the global tourist map every year.<\/em> \u00bb , \u200b\u200br\u00e9jouit Soukhrob Bobokulov, vice-pr\u00e9sident du Comit\u00e9 du tourisme de la R\u00e9publique d'Ouzb\u00e9kistan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No visa required for stays of less than 30 days for EU nationals, two direct flights a week between Paris and Tashkent, a safe destination for all travellers: the country\u2019s dynamism is underpinned by factors that are driving tourist arrivals, which grew by 30% last year, particularly in the French market, its main customer base in Europe. Building on this, the Central Asian country is aiming for 20 million visitors by 2030, up from 11.7 million in 2025, all supported by 31 infrastructure projects and 34 tourism masterplans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The IFTM trade fair, eagerly anticipated in mid-September at Hall 1 of Paris Expo Porte de Versailles (c) IFTM<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

However, even though they may be lulled by the desires of elsewhere and start to dream of the distant times of Genghis Khan or Tamerlane, travel managers and travel buyers will primarily turn their attention to Le Club Affaires. The organisation of IFTM indeed expects a record edition for this \"show within a show\" dedicated to business travel. \" \u201cEvery year, more and more players are taking part,\u201d notes Marie Allantaz, Editorial and Strategic Director of the IFTM trade fair. \u201cWhile we\u2019re still filling up the Business Club, we\u2019ve already exceeded last year\u2019s number of exhibitors.\u201d And I think we\u2019ll end up with 20% growth, or perhaps even a little more<\/em> \".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A record edition for the Business Club<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

With new arrivals announced such as United Airlines and Sixt, as well as Ailleurs Business, Mastercard France, HRS and ATPI France, the 50-exhibitor mark is in sight, with Marie Allantaz highlighting the dynamic nature of these buyer and travel manager associations, thanks to whom \" This exhibition grows year on year<\/em> Whether it's the GBTA or the AFTM, official partner of IFTM alongside Air France, Avis, Les Entreprises du voyage, SNCF, Travelsoft, and a new addition, Revolut for Business.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As last year, Wednesday will see the unveiling of the business travel and MICE barometer. However, what was seen by many as 'THE' business travel day will no longer necessarily be the case. In fact, it wasn't factually according to Marie Allantaz, as the number of visitors to the Business Club on Tuesdays and Wednesdays has been \"sensibly equivalent for the last two years\". But it will be a little less so, as the activity in this business zone will spill over into Thursday, marking one of the major innovations of the 2026 edition of IFTM: a \"matchmaking\" programme between exhibitors in the Business Club and corporate buyers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Business Club, a lounge within a lounge dedicated to business travel professionals.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\" We needed to break away from the idea of Wednesday as a business travel day. So, we might as well go all out and put these meetings on Thursday's schedule, to broaden attendance and keep the Business Club lively over the three days. <\/em>\u00bb, explains the editorial director of the show. Thus, from 8:30 am, before opening to the public, and until 10:30 am, the IFTM will organise a programme of pre-qualified one-to-one meetings punctuated by five to six fifteen to twenty-minute interviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\" By questioning a large number of buyers from major companies, particularly those who were not attending IFTM, we realised that it was a need<\/em>Explain Marie Allantaz. Coming to a tourism trade fair at the Porte de Versailles is not an idea that would naturally occur to them. We can increase this buyer population by showing them that they won't be lost in the middle of a large fair and that they will find a dedicated area for business travel.<\/em> \".<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This idea of putting together a programme where they can meet several exhibitors at once accompanies the practice of buyers, whereas accepting an invitation from a single supplier is always a bit tricky. \u00ab Conversely, if it's the trade show that invites them and covers their travel and accommodation, with everything organised within a schedule of appointments, then it makes sense and travelling to IFTM becomes easier to justify to the company.<\/em> \u00bb, remarks the director in charge of strategic steering at the IFTM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n