This year’s B2Balkan travel trade event taking place in Tirana on 12th February, dedicated to driving tourism to Albania and south east Europe, will be bigger than ever.
The partnership between Iceberg Exhibitions and New Deal Europe has secured a record attendance from tour operator and agency buyers, surpassing all expectations for the event. It is anticipated that 50 buyers will attend the 2025 edition of the one day marketplace. 40 buyers, representing businesses from 18 markets will be joined by 10 buyers from some of the biggest names in global tourism. These include the number one name in luxury tourism outbound from the USA and UK, Abercrombie & Kent, the largest travel company in the world, The Travel Corporation, the biggest agency network in the UK, Hays Travel, and market leading group operator from Germany, Service Reisen.
Robert Dee, co-founder and director of New Deal Europe, said: “It is beyond doubt that B2Balkans is a key event in the travel industry calendar for doing business in the Balkans. The trade is very aware of the impact and importance of this B2B marketplace and New Deal Europe has been able to build on the success of previous editions to attract key names to Albania for the 2025 edition.
The event, which is now in its third edition, is seeing increasing numbers of tour operators and travel agents from the UK, Europe and the Americas taking part. It includes record attendance from Italian operators, a host of luxury concierge agents and leading tour operators from the USA, and delegates from some markets attending for the first time such as Denmark, Estonia, Luxembourg and even from as far afield as Indonesia, one of the fastest growing markets in the world.
Tine Murn, New Deal Europe’s other co-director and founder said “Albania welcomed over 10 million visitors for the first time last year. It is one of the ‘hottest’ destinations on the planet right now, but it is important that the country promotes long-term, responsible tourism if it is to remain on everyone’s wish list. At New Deal Europe, we want to help destinations grow sustainably, focusing on quality over quantity, supporting local communities, and preserving natural and cultural heritage. The buyers we have invited can deliver this, and we look forward to a great day on 12th February, when they can engage with the tourism industry of Albania to provide long term high yield sustainable business.”
The event will be followed by a familiarisation trip around the key sites of Albania organised by local operator, Past and Present Journeys, designed to showcase the best that Albania has to offer to upscale travellers.
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