ILTM 2025 – Impressions Memorable Moments of the Trade Show
Palais des Festivals
Here we go again! The first week of December marks the annual family gathering of the luxury travel world. The 24th ILTM Cannes draws nearly 10,000 attendees to the South of France, including 2,500 international buyers. Forty-four percent are joining the show for the first time.
Exhibitor Return
Welcome back! For the first time in nine years, Design Hotels is returning to ILTM as an exhibitor. At section B-160 on the 1st Floor, 26 hotel partners from around the world gathered, with the booth divided by stylish yellow curtains – perfect for defending a design-forward reputation.
The Sail
For the first time, there’s an extra pavilion called "The Sail", bringing all cruise exhibitors together under one roof. Some would reportedly have preferred to mix in with the other luxury brands inside the Palais, but that wasn’t an option. For us attendees, it’s très chic and easy to navigate.
Sunny Start
From “Cannes can do it!” to “Cannes you believe it?” – on Tuesday, the Côte d’Azur still delivers a dose of gorgeous sunshine…
Liquid Sunshine
… from day two onward, the weather turns to true northern-style drizzle. LuxuryWise's Senior Editor Cathrin Lührs goes with it.
Bear-y Warm Welcome
Hyatt is buzzing here: Hotel Martinez is hosting several events, and the newly redesigned bar has turned out very stylish!
Lunch Break
Better be quick: Cannes’ culinary setup simply isn’t built for so many hungry suppliers – show up late and you’ll be stuck in line. Buyers (and the lucky trade press) have it easier, with luxury brands hosting them for lunch at the beach instead.
Aman Lunch
At the Aman lunch at La Môme Plage, the mood turns unexpectedly wild. With cheers and loud music, guests twirl napkins overhead between courses while table sparklers light up the room. Why? No one really knows – but it’s undeniably great fun!
Shangri-La Party
Paaaaarty!!! Much smaller than in previous years but every bit as vibrant, the annual Shangri-La party delivered live music and a super-spirited DJ, this time hosted at Luigi’s Piano Bar. And yes – thank you so much for letting us join the dancing!
Show Gossip
The Hottest Gossip on the ILTM Floor
Weather
We didn’t sign up for this! One of the show’s big perks is the pleasant year-end vibe on the sunny Côte d’Azur. But starting on day two, it poured nonstop. Thanks, France, but no thanks!
1,000-euro-surcharge
"Front row" or not – that’s the question. Buyers who paid the 1,000 euros surcharge were able to book themselves into a "nice" hotel. The rest ended up in dated digs or even over in Antibes.
Participant Surge
Once again, ILTM edged close to the magic 10,000-participant mark. But seriously: can Cannes' infrastructure really keep up with numbers like that…?
Seen at ILTM – Faces, Fun & Friendship
A Chronology of Networking
Sunday, 10 pm
Birthday star, take one! This year’s ILTM experience kicks off at the bar of the Carlton Cannes with a glass of bubbles to toast Natascha Löwe, Director of Global Leisure Sales Europe at Kempinski. Happy Birthday, Queen!
Monday, 12.30 pm
Birthday star, take two! Verena Koetzle, spokesperson for Explora Journeys, is also working on her big day. But there’s still time for a relaxed lunch with LuxuryWise at Fouquet’s in the Hotel Le Majestic. Here’s to you!
Monday, 4.30 pm
Meet us at the Christmas Market: At the Silent Sands and The Chedi Muscat get-together, there’s flammkuchen, camel-shaped cookies, and gingerbread hearts with funny sayings. So tell us – who’s the real "Chedi Cutie" here?!
Monday, 5.30 pm
The Hommage Luxury Hotels Collection hosts an aperitif. Good vibes all around as hosts Caroline Thonet (left), Group Head of Sales, and Susann Beeh (right), Director of Luxury Leisure Sales, welcome buyer Anete Kevisa, CEO of Soul Luxury Travel Lithuania, right into their circle.
Monday, 6.30 pm
Northern Germany meets South Africa meets Italy: At the Auberge Collection Welcome, LuxuryWise Editor-in-Chief Iris M. Köpke, Michelle Leach-Lewis of Chem Chem Safari & Legendary Expeditions, and Onirikos founder Stefano Bajona (from left) celebrate the reunion.
Monday, 7.30 pm
A quick stop at the Maradiva Private Cocktail in the Salon Renoir at the JW Marriott Cannes – with Anastasia Vlachava, owner of TUI Reisecenter Oelde, TUI franchise director Jens Horbach, and Gaby Jordan, head of Gaby Jordan Travel (from left), happily joining in.
Monday, 22 pm
This party is a must: Guests of Design Hotels spill into two bars and even take over the entire stretch of street out front. Senior Sales Manager Andrej Blaho is thrilled with the turnout – and with the fact that Design Hotels is once again exhibiting at the show.
Tuesday, 10 am
First press conference of the show: CEO JD O’Hara shares an update on Internova. The network now counts around 15,000 travel advisors and is edging ever closer to rival consortium Virtuoso. But seriously… could someone please explain Internova’s structure to us?!?
Tuesday, 6 pm
High praise for her Egypt team: In a chat with Abercrombie & Kent chief Marett Taylor, the conversation turns to the excellent support I received during my recent Cairo visit for the wonderful preview of the new Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). All thumbs up!
Tuesday, 7.30 pm
The one and only Gorka Bergareche, Area VP Operations Luxury Hotels EAME at Hyatt and General Manager of the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, hosts a gathering at Hotel Martinez of the Unbound Collection. Live music, caviar, champagne – and even a diamond raffle. Now that’s luxurious!
Tuesday, 8.30 pm
Meliá COO André Gerondeau has plenty of openings to talk about – but his favorite stories revolve around Paradisus Bali, the brand’s first property in Southeast Asia, and Casa Alameda Cádiz. All in all, Meliá is set to debut an impressive 23 new hotels in 2026.
Tuesday, 10 pm
Save the Best for Last: The evening wraps up with the legendary Pizza Party by Lobster Experience. Top Lobster Astrid Oberhummer (left) fuels the industry with 340 pizzas – much to the delight of guests like Eva Glander of The Fontenay and Silvio Rebmann of Cube Travel!
Wednesday, 3 pm
Media Happy Hour in the new cruise tent, The Sail. Great idea – though maybe brief the exhibitors next year a little better. Still, we caught up with all the top brands, including Lutz Deyhle of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Ruza Faath of Silversea. Thanks for chatting, everyone!
Wednesday, 4.30 pm
When fashion, luxury, and culinary flair intersect, the Bicester Collection is usually not far away. That’s why it was especially inspiring to sit down with Christina Glavas, Regional Director Europe, to exchange ideas, explore new angles, and spark fresh thinking together. Thanks for the creative exchange!
Wednesday, 6.30 pm
To wrap things up in real style: Seaside Collection CEO Gregor Gerlach and Andrea Kunze, Director of Sales & Marketing Europe at Riverside Luxury Cruises, host an evening on the C-Side Yacht right behind the Palais. Great food, a high-caliber crowd – and plenty of lively conversation!