And Speaking Of... ILTM Cannes 2024

ILTM 2024 is in the books, and it was certainly a memorable and productive event. As one of the leading travel industry gatherings — bringing together travel advisors, destination companies, cruise lines, hotels, media, and more — ILTM Cannes is a critical industry event for any travel agency focused on luxury travel.

Gifted Travel Network (GTN) works closely with ILTM, and we deeply appreciate Simon Mayle and his talented team for their outstanding work in catering to such a broad spectrum of attendees and exhibitors. Every corner of the world is represented at this event, and the energy from the exhibitors is electric. I could wander the three floors of the exhibition space for days and still not connect with everyone. Fortunately, our group of GTN advisors covered a lot of ground with their hosted meetings, ensuring GTN was well represented at this vital event.

Spotlight on GTN Advisors

Speaking of GTN advisors, I want to highlight our professional and enthusiastic team that attended this year. First, my gratitude to Tracey Golon from the GTN Partner Relations team, who attended for the first time as a hosted buyer. I ran into Tracey on the first morning on the exhibitor floor, and she looked at me with pure joy and excitement, beaming from ear to ear, and exclaimed, “This is awesome!”??Tracey walked on cloud nine throughout the show, making the most of every moment with partners. I also saw our advisors constantly smiling and eagerly sharing stories about their encounters over the three days.

Our GTN advisor attendees this year:

Robin Cline , Cline and Co Travel Consulting

Elizabeth de Quillacq , Souvenir & Far

Kendall Fletcher , J5Travel

Beth Hill , Mangata Travel

Robin Hutson , Luxe Recess LLC

Angela Isherwood , Olive & Atlas Travel Design

Leah Molinari , Molinari Travel

Eric Paul, Elite Travel Designs

Laney Sachs , Ortensia Blu Travel Adventures

Lisa VanBuhler , XOOM Tours

Sterling Wertanzl, MA , Sterling Journeys Luxury Travel

Hyatt Global Forum

This full-day event took place on Monday, December 2nd, ahead of the official ILTM Cannes program. 凯悦 gathered clients from around the world alongside their senior leadership to share updates and collaborate. This was my first year attending this event, and I was humbled to be invited. I gained invaluable insights and cherished the opportunity to engage with my peers. Congratulations to Tristan Dowell , Katherine Ferrari , Amanda Weiss , and the entire Hyatt leadership team for a flawlessly executed event.

Accor Executive Dinner

I’ve been fortunate to attend 雅高 ’s annual Executive Dinner for three consecutive years. For 2024, Accor took over an event space near the Palais des Festivals (Pavillion) and created an extraordinary experience. The evening’s highlight was the Orient Express showcase. As a cruise aficionado, I was particularly thrilled to hear updates about their luxury sailing yacht debuting in 2026. Sitting next to PHILIPPE HETLAND BRAULT , President of the Orient Express , and hearing his vision was a true privilege.

A special shout-out to Accor for their initiatives designed to empower women. I loved learning about their “Yes You Can” Conference and enjoyed my conversation with Maud Bailly , CEO of Sofitel and MGallery Hotel Collection , and Gilda Perez-Alvarado , who leads the Orient Express. A heartfelt merci to Leslie Dodson and Pascal Visintainer for a wonderful evening.

Langham Lunch

I’m a huge fan of the Langham Hospitality Group brand and was thrilled to join their lunch with CEO Bob van den Oord . Bob was incredibly receptive as I shared thoughts on gender inequality and ideas for promoting women in leadership roles. I left feeling heard and inspired. I also learned about Langham’s exciting renovation plans for their Pasadena property — a conversation that left me California dreaming!

Explora and IHG GTN Exclusive Dinner

GTN was honored to attend an exclusive dinner with our partners from Explora Journeys and 洲际酒店集团 . Thank you to Chris Austin and Aimee Price from Explora, and Karen Leger and Betty Wilson from IHG. The evening was a perfect respite after two full days of ILTM. I am forever grateful to Chris Austin, affectionately known as the Godfather of GTN, for his unwavering support since our founding. Our dinner conversation about industry trends, Explora, and business was a true highlight.

Advisor Reflections

In addition to my own takeaways, I wanted to share some thoughts from some of our other GTN attendees:

Kendall Fletcher , J5Travel :

As a first-timer at ILTM, I’d heard it was the show of the year — and it truly is. The opportunity to meet all our partners in one place is invaluable. Connecting with strong women who share a desire to lead in travel was especially inspiring. My takeaway? Approach these events with an open mind and curiosity. The luxury travel industry is a network of people who care deeply about creating special experiences. I feel so lucky to have attended!

Lisa VanBuhler , XOOM Tours:

What an incredible week! ILTM is all about celebrating travel professionals. I loved getting to know GTN members better and meeting passionate partners dedicated to serving clients at the highest level. Our profession impacts lives through stories, memories, and unforgettable experiences. It’s priceless!

Tracey Golon , Senior Account Manager, Partner Relations at Gifted Travel Network:

Five-star properties, exclusive access, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences were on full display. But it’s the relationships that create travel magic. I’m endlessly grateful for the chance to strengthen connections and friendships within the travel community.

Did You Attend ILTM Cannes 2024? Share your highlights in the thread below! I’d love to hear about your experiences. Thank you for engaging with my article!