​​​​For Immediate Release

July 12, 2021
Contact: Catherine Shaw, Marketing Director, Travel Group, Northstar Travel Group
201-902-2084
cshaw@ntmllc.com

In-Person Event Global Travel Marketplace Emphasizes the Return of Travel

SECAUCUS, NJ - Travel Weekly and TravelAge West’s ninth-annual Global Travel Marketplace (GTM) event was held live from July 8-10 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa. The event connected highly successful travel advisors and a curated group of global suppliers for two-and-a-half days of one-on-one appointments and networking, making it evident that travel is back.

"A GTM advisor closed a sale between appointments that took her business over the $1 million threshold earlier than ever before,” said Alicia Evanko, Executive Vice President, Travel Group Global Events, Northstar Travel Group. “If that doesn’t show that our industry has returned stronger, with advisors and suppliers eager to do business, I don’t know what does.” 

Working with the destination, host property and attendees, the event followed CDC and local guidelines to create an environment that was safe and comfortable. For many, it was the first in-person conference in 15 months.

“GTM is a great way to launch back into our businesses,” said Gregg Kaminsky, Tzell Travel Group/ R Family Vacations. “Advisors are finally no longer talking about cancellations; we’re booking and we’re here to learn about travel to maximize those bookings.”

“I’ve had many conversations with advisors who have group business or clients interested in our product,” said Carlos Ramirez, Quark Expeditions. “There are opportunities here to convert business right away as well as opportunities to plant seeds that lead to converted business down the line.”

The return on investment continues to be a highlight for GTM suppliers. “My favorite thing about GTM is the business it generates,” said Clint Saint of Live Life African Safari Getaways. “That’s why we’re here. That’s why we invest in coming to the event and it’s paying dividends.”

This year’s event hosted 118 travel advisors from North America. The supplier companies participating represented destinations, tour operators, river and ocean cruise lines, hotels and resorts, and professional services from all around the globe, offering depth and breadth to advisor attendees.

“There have been so many changes in the industry over the past 15 months and it’s really important to meet the people representing the brands we’re working with or looking to work with, said Christen Perry, Classic Travel Connection. “Suppliers need to know what’s happened with my business over this time. GTM gives us the space to share our stories so we can work together successfully now that we are booking like crazy again.”

 A highlight was the Night of Gratitude, sponsored by Alaska-Visit Anchorage, American Queen Steamboat Company, MSC Cruises, The Palm Beaches, Seabourn, Virgin Voyages, Visit Greater Palm Springs, Visit Lauderdale, and Windstar Cruises. Sponsors toasted to the travel advisors in the room, sharing messages of gratitude for their tireless work over the past 15 months which was integral in keeping the industry alive.

GTM moves back to The Diplomat Beach Resort July 28-30, 2022. Sister event, GTM West, will be held September 17-19, 2021 at The Westin La Paloma, in Tucson, Arizona. Qualifying travel advisors must have a minimum of $1 million in annual sales for GTM, and $800,000 in annual sales for GTM West, reside in the U.S. or Canada, have a global book of business and provide supplier references. For more information, please visit www.globaltravelmarketplace.com. For supplier inquiries, please contact Emmy Morales at emorales@travelweekly.com or 201-902-1951.

ABOUT NORTHSTAR TRAVEL GROUP
Northstar Travel Group is the leading B-to-B information and marketing solutions company serving all segments of the travel industry including leisure/retail, corporate/business travel, business and sports meetings, incentives, hospitality, and travel technology.

Northstar is the owner of well-known brands including Travel Weekly, TravelAge West, Travel Weekly China, Business Travel News, Successful Meetings, Meetings & Conventions, Incentive, M&C China, Travel42, Axus Travel App, and Web in Travel. The company produces more than 80 face-to-face events in 13 countries in retail travel, hospitality, corporate travel, travel technology, sports travel, and the meetings & incentive industry. In addition, Northstar owns Phocuswright, the leading research, business intelligence, and event producer serving the travel technology industry.

Northstar Travel Group owns the Burba Hotel Network, the leading producer of hotel investment events globally, including ALIS, the largest hotel investment conference in the world produced with the American Hotel & Lodging Association in Los Angeles each year.

Northstar is also the majority shareholder in Inntopia, the leading SaaS e-commerce software, CRM database marketing and predictive analytics business serving the mountain destination, golf, activities, hospitality, and specialty destination travel markets.

Based in Secaucus, NJ, the company has offices in New York, NY; Stowe, VT; Denver, CO; Edwards, CO; Burlington, VT; Los Angeles, CA; Costa Mesa, CA; Lombard, IL; and global offices in Singapore, Beijing, and Shanghai. And soon to be London.

Northstar Travel Group is owned by funds managed by EagleTree Capital.