GEM Comes of Age in 2013

  

The Global European Marketplace (GEM) is ETOA's annual member-only workshop and the opener to the busiest week in the tourism trade calendar, taking place on the Friday before the World Travel Market.  For its 21st edition, GEM 2013 is set to be the biggest ever, having already attracted nearly 600 delegates.  The workshop is followed the next day byETOA's annual Gala Dinner, held at the Sheraton Park Lane Hotel. 

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At the GEM workshop, which takes place on 1st November at Wembley Stadium, London, inbound European tour operators engage in whole day of scheduled B2B meetings with suppliers and service providers representing all areas of the tourism trade; from hotels and retailers to attractions and tourist boards. 

There are 55 companies already registered that will be attending their very first GEM this year.  Already registered on the buyer side are a wide range of independent operators as well as international brands including Tauck, Viator, Newmarket Holidays, JacTravel, Shearings Holidays and Cox and Kings.  Suppliers include city and regional tourist boards from across Europe, hotel chains such as Hilton Worldwide and Best Western and many attractions. 

Liesa Bissett from Trafalgar Tours described GEM as 'a great event to get an overview of the European supplier offer that saves us a lot of travelling. And due to the appointment system we always get to know new possible partners that we might not have met otherwise.'  Joel Fauquette from Eurotunnel said ‘GEM is the best and most fruitful workshop I attend each year.'

Tom Jenkins, ETOA's Executive Director said 'I am really happy that the momentum that has gathered behind this event continues to carry it forward.  GEM is attracting new players every year, but more important than the 'first timers' are those who attend year on year.  They know that it is not just the new products that matter, but information that can be gathered from old contacts.  This is how networks work.  This is why GEM continues to thrive.'