ILTM 2024 has officially opened, setting the stage for its largest event on record. The conference has grown 12 percent over last year and the total number of people at the conference exceeds 10,000, making it the first time ever ILTM has crossed that threshold. In all, approximately 2,350 buyers from 84 countries are in attendance, with it being the first time for 30 percent of those. Over 2,350 luxury travel brands from 105 countries are also participating. Combined, they will engage in around 85,000 matched appointments with buyers—also a new record.
The tourism boards of Australia, Egypt and Mauritius are making their ILTM debut, while California, Brazil and Oman are significantly expanding their presence. Needless to say, it’s busy and buzzy!
Pre-Stay in Monaco
The growth of ILTM is evident—not just in the size of the conference but also in the build-up surrounding it. Official events now begin even before the conference doors open, which is how we found ourselves in Monaco for a one-night pre-trip, staying at the iconic Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo.
The Metropole is preparing for its next chapter and our stay coincided with its final day of operation before a five-month closure for an extensive renovation. The hotel's transformation will reduce its 125 rooms to 112; spearheading the refresh of all interiors is Jacques Garcia, the visionary behind Hôtel Costes in Paris.
The updates promise a modern flair, with USB ports and tech enhancements, alongside a Mediterranean-inspired color palette—think blues and greens. There’s also a revamped spa on deck with 11 treatment rooms, launching under a yet-to-be-named French brand. While the pool will remain untouched, its surroundings will reflect the hotel’s refined new look. This marks the Metropole’s first major renovation since 2014.
Though we didn’t have time to sample, the hotel’s dining scene is impressive. Highlights include Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant offering contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, not to mention the one-Michelin-star Japanese restaurant, Yoshi and the stylish ODYSSEY, a poolside lounge-restaurant designed by Karl Lagerfeld. During our stay, the Lobby Bar was humming with locals enjoying casual nibbles and cocktails all day and into the night. We can attest the breakfast was excellent.
More Monaco News
According to Monaco Tourism press officer Christophe Brico, Monaco continues to evolve with exciting developments across the city. This week, the new Mareterra eco-district by the sea will be inaugurated by Prince Albert II, with public access starting Thursday.
The massive project, which began in 2013, has added approximately 14 acres—or 3 percent of Monaco’s total surface area—reclaimed from the sea at L’Anse du Portier. This sustainable development includes luxury residences, a marina and green spaces, as well as a 60,000-square-foot extension to the nearby convention center.
Meanwhile, the Hotel Hermitage is undergoing phased room renovations during the winter months, and New Moods—a reimagined cabaret-style venue with a menu by two-Michelin-starred chef Marcel Ravin—recently opened to much fanfare. Adding to the celebration, the Fairmont Monte Carlo marks its 50th anniversary this year, solidifying its place in Monaco’s luxury landscape.
Belmond: New Levels of Slow Luxury
Hosting the first official event of ILTM, Belmond is embracing slow travel, according to Alexis Harding, global corporate communications director. “Time has the greatest value for the luxury traveler,” she noted, emphasizing that Belmond is “elevating mindful living with slower epic journeys and experiences.”
Bookings are already strong for the newly announced Britannic Explorer, A Belmond Train. Set to debut in July 2025, it will be the first luxury sleeper train to travel through England and Wales, offering a blend of scenic journeys, fine dining and immersive experiences.
Three-night itineraries will explore Cornwall, the Lake District and Wales, with routes designed to allow travelers to combine multiple journeys seamlessly. Michelin-starred Chef Simon Rogan is overseeing onboard dining with menus inspired by regional flavors. Guests can also enjoy therapies in the wellness suite and cultural programming that includes expert-led talks, exclusive access to historic landmarks and curated activities highlighting regional traditions and culinary heritage.
In Italy, Portofino’s Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, will unveil the next phase of its multi-year renovation in June 2025. Updates include redesigned rooms, a Dior Spa with a rooftop relaxation terrace and enhanced communal spaces like a cocktail bar and breakfast area. In July, Belmond will debut Villa Beatrice, a meticulously restored private villa with five bedrooms, a plunge pool and a summer pavilion for yoga or treatments. Guests will enjoy private sea access, a personal chef upon request and breathtaking views from the Cinque Terre to Portofino Bay.
Meliá: New Openings in Malta, Lisbon, Punta Cana and Madrid
Meliá hosted a cocktail gathering where we caught up with Manuel Riego, vice president of marketing, to learn about the Spanish brand’s exciting growth.
The company recently debuted ME Malta, a 125-room property in St. Julian’s designed by the late Zaha Hadid as part of the Mercury Towers development. Looking ahead, Meliá is set to open ME Lisbon in March 2025, a 200-room luxury hotel near Eduardo VII Park and Marquês de Pombal Square, the brand’s first property in Portugal’s capital.
Beyond the ME brand, Meliá will open Zel Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic this December, a 190-room resort developed in collaboration with tennis legend Rafael Nadal. The property will include a Rafa Nadal Tennis Centre, blending luxury accommodations with top notch sports facilities.
Additionally, Meliá recently launched Casa de las Artes in Madrid, a 150-room hotel located in the historic Barrio de las Letras. This addition to the Meliá Collection immerses guests in a celebration of the seven fine arts, complemented by culturally rich experiences in Madrid.
ILTM Opening Keynote: Alien Sightings, Wellness Trends and More
Instead of one keynote, this year ILTM opened with three thought-provoking talks exploring the current travel landscape.
Financial journalist Merryn Somerset Webb, Bloomberg columnist and host of the Merryn Talks Money podcast, began with a unique perspective on global instability. She highlighted key forces shaping the world—demographics, defense, deglobalization and decarbonization—but kicked off with the startling fact that alien sightings are up over 400 percent in some parts of the world, a reflection, she said, of society feeling unhinged.
While these forces present challenges for travel, she pointed to optimism in the form of the largest transfer of wealth from Baby Boomers, strong economic growth in the U.S. and markets like India, the rise of more female travelers, and Millennials and Gen Z valuing experiences over luxury goods.
Next, TJ Abrams, VP of global well-being at Hyatt, and Alison Gilmore, ILTM’s portfolio director, unveiled a new wellness survey conducted by Hyatt. The survey of 800 people across global markets revealed that "health is the new wealth," with 74 percent of travelers integrating wellness into their routines. Trends included growing demand for travel advisors, personalized experiences, fitness access on the road and slow travel. Over half of respondents plan to take wellness-focused trips, with 43 percent also expressing interest in wellness travel with children.
Closing the session, Tyler Brûlé, founder of Monocle, shared witty observations from his recent three-week global trip. His frustrations included stressful tablet check-ins at a wellness resort, the proliferation of QR codes, overly complex hotel room lights, truffle oil and "too-cool" hotel uniforms that make it unclear who works there. Brûlé made a strong case for bringing back phone booths, etiquette codes, employee name tags and simpler, more personal service in hotels.
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