
For hotel sales and marketing teams aiming to stay ahead of the competition in 2025, attending global travel and hospitality events is a crucial step. These events not only offer insights into the latest trends but also provide invaluable networking opportunities with industry leaders, potential partners, and technology innovators. Whether you're focused on expanding your hotel’s reach, enhancing guest engagement, or boosting your digital marketing efforts, these top events are a must-attend.
Here’s a list of the 12 best travel events for hotel sales and marketing teams to attend in 2025. Each event offers a unique opportunity to advance your marketing strategies, discover new tools, and stay on top of industry trends.
1. FITUR (Feria Internacional de Turismo)
Location: Madrid, Spain
When: Late January or early February
Website: https://www.ifema.es/en/fitur
FITUR is one of the leading international tourism trade fairs, offering hotel sales and marketing teams an opportunity to connect with tourism professionals from all over the world. It’s particularly valuable for those looking to explore new market segments and learn about emerging digital marketing trends.
Why You Must Attend:
- Global Networking: The event gathers thousands of international tourism professionals, offering an invaluable chance to network.
- Marketing Insights: Learn about new trends in travel marketing, digital strategies, and customer experience enhancements that can be applied to hotel brands.
2. The International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF)
Location: Berlin, Germany
When: March
Website: https://www.ihif.com
IHIF is a top forum for hotel investment professionals, but it also offers critical insights into hotel marketing strategies. The event provides valuable information on how marketing teams can align their strategies with investment decisions to maximize revenue and brand visibility.
Why You Must Attend:
- Marketing & Investment Synergy: Understand how hotel investments and marketing efforts go hand-in-hand, and how to adapt your strategies accordingly.
- Executive-Level Networking: Meet with global hotel executives and investors to explore partnership opportunities and marketing collaborations.
3. Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF)
Location: Varies (often Dubai or London)
When: March or April
Website: https://www.grifconference.com
The Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF) is a must-attend for hotel sales and marketing teams working in hotels with food and beverage services. It’s a great platform for learning about innovative marketing strategies for restaurants, which can be adapted for broader hotel marketing.
Why You Must Attend:
- F&B Marketing: Learn how to market dining options within hotels, enhancing guest engagement and driving higher sales.
- Cross-Sector Insights: Benefit from networking with both restaurant operators and hoteliers, gaining insights applicable to hotel marketing as a whole.
4. Arabian Travel Market (ATM)
Location: Dubai, UAE
When: April or May
Website: https://www.wtm.com/atm/
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is one of the largest travel trade shows in the Middle East. This event is ideal for hotel sales and marketing teams focused on reaching new regional audiences in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Why You Must Attend:
- Targeting Regional Markets: Gain insights into the MENA region’s travel habits, marketing preferences, and digital engagement strategies.
- Networking with Influencers: Meet leading hoteliers, marketers, and regional tourism boards to forge new relationships and explore market expansion opportunities.
5. Hospitality Design Expo (HD Expo)
Location: Las Vegas, USA
When: May
Website: https://www.hdexpo.com
The Hospitality Design Expo (HD Expo) is a premier event for hotel design and technology, and it’s also perfect for marketing teams looking to learn how to incorporate new design trends into their marketing campaigns.
Why You Must Attend:
- Design-Inspired Marketing: Understand how cutting-edge hotel designs can be marketed to attract guests, boost brand image, and improve guest loyalty.
- Tech Innovations: Discover the latest in hospitality technology and explore how these can be integrated into your hotel’s marketing efforts to create unique guest experiences.
6. The Boutique Hotel Summit (BHS)
Location: London, UK
When: May
Website: https://www.boutiquehotelsummit.com
The Boutique Hotel Summit (BHS) is designed specifically for boutique hotel operators and their teams. It’s an excellent place for small, independent hotel marketing teams to learn how to differentiate their brands and create compelling marketing strategies.
Why You Must Attend:
- Niche Marketing Strategies: Learn how to market boutique hotel experiences and develop campaigns that resonate with modern travelers.
- Networking with Similar Brands: Meet other boutique hotel professionals and share insights into the challenges and opportunities unique to this market.
7. HITEC (Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition & Conference)
Location: Varies (often North America, Europe, or the Middle East)
When: June
Website: https://www.hitec.org
HITEC is the largest technology-focused event for the hospitality industry. For hotel sales and marketing teams, HITEC provides essential information on the latest tech innovations that can be incorporated into your hotel’s marketing strategy, from CRM systems to guest-facing technologies.
Why You Must Attend:
- Innovative Marketing Tools: Discover the latest tech solutions to enhance guest engagement and improve your hotel’s digital marketing.
- Learn from Industry Leaders: Attend workshops and sessions to learn how technology can drive your hotel’s sales and improve marketing efficiency.
8. Skift Global Forum
Location: New York City, USA
When: September
Website: https://forum.skift.com
Skift Global Forum is an essential event for hotel marketers, offering insights into the future of travel and hospitality. The event brings together thought leaders to discuss travel trends, technology, and innovative marketing strategies.
Why You Must Attend:
- Future Trends: Stay ahead of the curve by learning about upcoming travel and marketing trends that will impact your hotel’s sales strategies.
- Networking with Innovators: Meet some of the world’s top travel and hospitality experts to explore new opportunities and marketing collaborations.
9. The Hotel Show Dubai
Location: Dubai, UAE
When: September
Website: https://www.thehotelshow.com
The Hotel Show Dubai is one of the largest hospitality events in the Middle East. It’s a perfect platform for hotel sales and marketing teams to discover new products, services, and innovations that can be marketed to improve guest experience.
Why You Must Attend:
- Middle Eastern Market Focus: Learn about trends specific to the MENA region and connect with suppliers offering products and services relevant to your marketing efforts.
- Comprehensive Networking: The event gathers hospitality professionals from all corners of the globe, offering ample networking opportunities.
10. The Global Lodging Forum (GLF)
Location: Varies (Paris or Berlin)
When: October
Website: https://www.globallodgingforum.com
The Global Lodging Forum (GLF) is a prestigious event for hotel professionals, focusing on the business side of the industry, including marketing strategies, brand positioning, and operational efficiencies.
Why You Must Attend:
- Brand Strategy & Marketing: Gain insights into brand positioning and marketing tactics that will help elevate your hotel’s visibility.
- Investment & Marketing Synergy: Understand how investments influence marketing strategies and how to align them for long-term success.
11. World Travel Market (WTM)
Location: London, UK
When: November
Website: https://www.wtm.com
World Travel Market (WTM) is one of the largest and most important global travel events. Hotel sales and marketing teams can benefit from the broad range of industry professionals attending WTM, from tour operators to technology providers.
Why You Must Attend:
- Global Networking Opportunities: Meet thousands of travel professionals from around the world and gain insights into global market trends.
- Comprehensive Marketing Sessions: WTM provides numerous seminars and workshops that cover the latest trends in travel and hotel marketing.
12. International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM)
Location: Cannes, France (and other global locations)
When: December
Website: https://www.iltm.com
ILTM is a global event focused on luxury travel, bringing together the world’s leading luxury hotel brands and top-tier travel professionals. For hotel marketing teams targeting the luxury market, this is the place to be.
Why You Must Attend:
- Luxury Market Insights: Discover how to craft marketing campaigns tailored to affluent travelers and luxury-minded guests.
- High-End Networking: Connect with luxury brands, travel agents, and industry influencers to explore collaboration opportunities and insights into the luxury hospitality market.
Conclusion:
Attending these top 12 events in 2025 will not only provide hotel sales and marketing teams with the tools and insights needed to thrive in a competitive environment but will also allow them to network with industry leaders, forge valuable partnerships, and enhance their marketing strategies. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend these pivotal industry events to take your hotel’s marketing efforts to new heights.