International Ski Travel Market (ISTM) Reaches New Heights and Launches New Event
21st February 2020
Category : Events
Chamonix is set to host a record number of buyers and suppliers from the ski travel industry at the 7th International Ski Travel Market from 8th – 12th March. Whilst the industry is set to come together at ISTM, the organisers have also launched a new event for the industry, International Alpine Travel Market (IATM).
The first IATM will take place in Chamonix from 20th – 22nd September and will shine a spotlight on the spring and summer seasons and the broad range of sports and activities taking place in and around the mountains, as well as the travel and accommodation options that compliment them.
Event Director, Luke Boulton stated, ‘IATM is based on the successful ISTM model, however, with more of an experiential element. Buyers and suppliers will have pre-scheduled meetings in a similar way to ISTM, but these will follow two evenings of informal socialising and a day spent together, out in the natural environment, sampling some of the activities the local area has to offer.’
The first IATM is set to take place with the partnership of Chamonix Mont-Blanc and Best Mont-Blanc, a hotel company featuring unique mountain hotels with a focus on and passion for the natural environment surrounding them. Buyers for the event will have a slightly different and broader profile to those of ISTM, with their emphasis on activities and sports such as hiking, biking, mountaineering, paragliding and kayaking to name just a few. Suppliers will have a certain amount of crossover, with their attention shifted away from their winter product.
Commenting on their ambitions for the event, Boulton added, ‘We really want IATM to focus on developing strong and meaningful connections and what better way to do that than by utilising the natural environment we are working with. Continuing our relationship with Chamonix feels completely natural and we couldn’t be happier to have them as a partner for the first IATM’.
Prior to that, ISTM, together with the partnership of Chamonix Mont-Blanc, Mont-Blanc Natural Resort and La Folie Douce Hotels will welcome buyers representing 21 different outbound markets from across the globe, along with ski focused dmcs, ski schools and tourism boards from across the Alps, Georgia and the US.
Event and Buyer Manager, Paulina Lund commented, ‘We are excited to be working with partners who have such great passion, energy and knowledge about the wonderful product they represent. Chamonix will be the perfect place to bring together the people who make the industry work.’ About those attending ISTM, Lund added, ‘We have so many valued clients who join us year on year and for this edition we are also thrilled to welcome an enormous ratio of new suppliers and buyers.’