The inaugural International Ski Travel Market (ISTM) opened this morning in Kitzbuhel in Austria, with industry representatives from all over the world sharing an exciting forum on the future of ski tourism.Welcoming delegates, ISTM Exhibition Manager Peter Grimster said: “With key representatives from across the ski industry attending, the focus of ISTM is essentially to facilitate business and networking opportunities and through this event to provide a forum within which businesses can successfully develop and grow.”
ISTM organiser, Reed Travel Exhibitions, the world’s leading events organiser in the travel and tourism industry, implemented a unique and innovative automated appointment matching system, through which buyers and suppliers were able to select who they were most keen to meet – a first in the ski industry.
Grimster added: “Our specialised pre-scheduled appointment (PSA) system has produced a programme of over 2,700 appointments due to take place over the next two days between 60 resorts, inbound ski travel suppliers and 60 leading outbound ski tour operators. This unique system translates into real business and a high return on investment for our exhibitors, not to mention a highly productive visit for our buyers.”
The first ever ISTM is being held at the prestigious five-star A-ROSA Hotel in Kitzbuhel. “The correlation between attracting quality buyers and delivering a quality host hotel experience has been a major factor in driving interest and guaranteeing the attendance of key travel industry players. The host venue is instrumental in the success of ISTM,” commented Grimster.
Uwe Schramm, General Manager of the A-ROSA Kitzbuhel said; “We are very proud that the A-ROSA Kitzbuhel was selected as the place to host the event. We are excited to welcome the industry to our resort and are looking forward to two exciting and eventful days of meeting and greeting partners. I believe that ISTM is of huge importance to the industry and anyone attending this exclusive b2b event will certainly profit from their participation.”
Acknowledging the breadth of ISTM participants, Holger Gassler, International Marketing Manager of Tirol Tourist Board adds: “There are key representatives from across the ski industry signed up for the first ever ISTM and the buzz here at the event continues to generate excitement right across the global ski travel industry. Buyers are excited about the quality of suppliers attending – and the suppliers are seeing an outstanding caliber of exhibitors here in Tirol.”
Over the next two days there is also an exciting programme of familiarisation tours planned for buyers. This includes highlights such as dinner at the award-winning Restaurant Rosengarten in Kirchberg in Tyrol, as well as skiing with experienced guides in the Kitzbuhel Ski Resort, off-piste skiing with locally born Freeride World Tour rider Matthias Haunholder and a trip around picturesque Kitzbuhel.
Gerhard Walter, Managing Director of Kitzbuhel Tourist Board added; “We are honoured that ISTM is celebrating its premiere here in our legendary town with over 120 years of skiing history. It’s an invaluable opportunity to present the resort to a focused audience of key buyers. We hope that the business meetings are productive and that they all take many unforgettable memories away with them.”
