Trade shows are at the forefront of any group travel organiser or tour operator’s calendar when it comes to finding inspiration for upcoming events and itineraries. Amy Moore provides a list of trade shows taking place throughout 2016 that shouldn’t be missed

Visitors at the South West Group Travel Show in 2015, held at the Winter Gardens in Weston-Super-Mare

Go Travel Show

The first ever Go Travel Show will take place on Saturday, January 16 at the Copper Box Arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London.

From destinations and attractions to entertainment and accommodation, the new-look travel trade show aims to provide a selection of ideas for group trips and outings.

The Copper Box Arena in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be the venue for the first ever Go Travel Show

Exhibitors include Southern Belgium and Brussels, Planet Hollywood, the View From The Shard, City & Village Tours, Kew Gardens, City Cruises Poole, Faulty Towers Dining Experience and Potters Resort.

GTOs will also be able to find out the latest information about visits to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. CoachMarque will provide free travel from a variety of locations in the southeast and Home Counties.

To register, or for coach transfers, contact Julie Hart on 01424 572089 or email julie.hart@grouptravelorganiser.com. For more information visit www.gotravelshow.com.

#DON’T MISS - Excursions 2016

Exclusive Show Only Offers at Excursions

Group travel organisers and itinerary planners who attend Excursions™ 2016 at Alexandra Palace, North London on Saturday, January 23, can take advantage of the many exclusive show-only offers from exhibitors.

Details of these offers will be updated on the Excursions website up until a few days before the exhibition opens.

The show is organised by Tourism South East in partnership with London & Partners and VisitEngland.

With around 300 exhibitors from the UK and Europe, the show will be an ideal place to meet, network and pick up new inspiration for group day trips, short breaks and holidays. Pre register attendance to this free entry exhibition online at www.excursions2016.com.

South West Group Travel Show

The fifth annual South West Group Travel Show will take place on Saturday, February 6, from 1000hrs to 1400hrs at the ss Great Britain in Bristol.

SS Great Britain will be the venue for the South West Group Travel Show in 2016. DAVID NOTON

It marks the first time the show has been hosted aboard a historic ship, with GTOs invited to discover what’s available for groups in Bristol, across the South West and further afield. Over 70 exhibitors including attractions, venues, destinations, tour operators and accommodation providers will be present at the show, such as Glastonbury Abbey, Wadworth Brewery Visitor Centre and Isle of Wight Tourism, as well as Warner Leisure Hotels, TLH Leisure Resort, Daish’s Holidays and Brend Hotels.

GTOs will also be able to find out more about ss Great Britain, with sneak previews and an appearance from Mr Isambard Kingdom Brunel himself! Destination Bristol will also be on hand to showcase what the city can offer groups seeking day trips and short breaks.

To register, or for coach transfers, contact Julie Hart on 01424 572089 or email julie.hart@grouptravelorganiser.com. For more information visit www.southwestgroupshow.com.

Tourism & Events Showcase

The annual Tourism & Events Showcase will take place on Saturday, February 27, at the Royal Armouries Museum, Leeds from 1000hrs to 1400hrs. It will be the sixth Tourism & Events Showcase to be held in the region.

Exhibitors include destinations, attractions, venues, accommodation suppliers and tour operators, with GTOs encouraged to talk face-to-face with representatives to find out what’s on offer.

There will also be time to schedule a visit to the Royal Armouries Museum, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2016. GTOs will be able to reserve a place on a taster tour around one of the galleries during the show.

Free coach transfers are available from a number of pick-up points in Yorkshire and the Royal Armouries Museum can be easily accessed from the centre of Leeds.

To register, or for coach transfers, contact Julie Hart on 01424 572089 or email julie.hart@grouptravelorganiser.com. For more information visit www.tourismshowcase.com.

Tourism & Attractions Show

The Tourism & Attractions Show will be held on Saturday, March 12, at West Midland Safari & Leisure Park from 1000hrs to 1400hrs.

It’s the first time the show has been held at the attraction, with the event aiming to showcase tourism and events throughout Worcestershire, the West and East Midlands, North Staffordshire, Shropshire and the Welsh Marches. Exhibitors include Abacus Hotels, Historic Royal Palaces, Original Shrewsbury and BBC Tours.

Giraffes at the West Midland Safari and Leisure Park, which will host the Tourism & Attractions Show in 2016

West Midland Safari & Leisure Park will demonstrate how groups can have tailor-made ‘behind the scenes’ visits accompanied by wildlife experts.

Sue Day, Guest Relations Officer at West Midland Safari & Leisure Park, said: “It will be a great opportunity for networking and to promote the attraction to a dedicated groups’ audience.”

Register for free entry to the Tourism & Attractions Show via the website – www.tourismandattractions.co.uk. For more information about the venue visit www.wmsp.co.uk.

Group Leisure & Travel Show

The Group Leisure & Travel Show will be celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2016 when it takes place on Thursday, October 20 at the NEC Birmingham.

GTOs, coach operators and the travel trade will be able to network with top attractions, tourist boards, accommodation providers, ticketing agencies, coach companies and tour operators.

There will be a diverse seminar programme featuring sessions with various industry experts..

Complimentary coach travel is available from selected routes, with free entry, free parking and a free bacon butty!

The Group Leisure & Travel Show is staged by YPL Exhibitions in association with the Yandell Media Group Ltd. For more information contact Sharon Yandell on 01908 613323 or email sharon.y@yandellmedia.com. To register, visit www.leisureshow.com.

World Travel Market

Condensed to three days in 2016, the new-look World Travel Market is scheduled to take place at the ExCel Exhibition Centre in London from November 7-9.

World Travel Market is an annual business-to-business event presenting industry professionals with the opportunity to meet, negotiate and network. World Travel Market 2015 saw an impressive 49, 275 participants according to unaudited figures.

Simon Press, Senior Director at World Travel Market, said: “WTM London 2016 will see more content moved onto the exhibition floor further increasing networking opportunities between exhibitors, buyers, visitors and media.”

“Further new additions to WTM London 2016 will be announced throughout next year.”

For more information visit www.wtmlondon.com.