ILTM Cannes 2025:
Your Insider Guide to the International Luxury Travel Market
1-4 December 2025 • Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, Cannes, France
Welcome to the premier gathering of luxury travel professionals. The ILTM Cannes event is the main title in the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) series, uniting brands, advisors and buyers in high-calibre meetings. This guide explains what to expect, who will be there, and how to make the most of the experience.
What ILTM Cannes Represents
ILTM Cannes is the most recognised gathering within the International Luxury Travel Market calendar. Advisors, hotel groups, cruise lines, wellness retreats and premium travel specialists meet in the same place each December to build partnerships that last for years. If you want to expand your presence in luxury travel, this is the one event almost everyone commits to.
The format centres around pre-arranged meetings set through the iltm buyer zone. This tool pairs advisors with the hotels, resorts, cruise lines and destinations they want to explore. It also helps suppliers reach the advisors who fit their offering, keeping the week efficient and purposeful.
Why Attend ILTM Cannes
People come to ILTM Cannes for progress. Buyers gain new ideas for their clients. Hotels and travel brands reach advisors who influence some of the world’s most valuable travel bookings. Destinations reveal fresh offerings and strengthen their global presence. The event also offers a clear sense of where luxury travel is heading, which is key in a fast-changing market.
Every meeting is matched through the ILTM platform, allowing attendees to use their time well. Most leave with new partners, new insights and a stronger understanding of what luxury travellers expect next.
What Happened at ILTM Cannes 2024
The 2024 edition drew strong interest from across the industry. Thousands of buyers and suppliers filled the Palais des Festivals, and many well known brands used the event as their platform for announcements. These included luxury hotel groups revealing expansions, new resort openings and refreshed brand identities.
The social atmosphere was vibrant. IHG Hotels & Resorts created one of the most talked-about moments with a drone light show over the Mediterranean. Advisors and journalists highlighted rising interest in slower journeys, deeper cultural experiences and wellness-driven travel.
Across all feedback, ILTM 2024 made it clear that modern luxury travellers expect more connection, more story and more thoughtful design in their journeys.
Featured Speakers and Leaders in Luxury Travel
ILTM Cannes draws respected voices from across luxury travel, hospitality and brand strategy. Here are several well-known figures who have contributed to recent editions and often take part in ILTM programming:
- Tina Edmundson, President, Luxury at Marriott International. Her insights on evolving luxury guest expectations are widely followed.
- Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso. Known for sharing advisor behaviour patterns and global outlooks.
- Jane Mackie, senior luxury executive at IHG, often involved in discussions around brand direction and lifestyle trends.
The full speaker list for 2025 will appear on the ILTM Cannes programme page.
Key Brands and Destinations at ILTM Cannes
The exhibitor list at ILTM Cannes showcases some of the world’s most sought-after travel experiences. Here are examples of brands that often draw strong attention:
- Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, known for luxury stays in Dubai, London and the Maldives, and often unveiling new initiatives during ILTM.
- Aman, sought after for its calm, nature-focused retreats and distinctive approach to privacy and atmosphere.
- Belmond, known for iconic trains, yachts and heritage hotels that anchor many luxury itineraries.
- Four Seasons, a regular presence sharing updates on new openings and service innovation.
- Rosewood and One&Only Resorts, both central to conversations on experiential travel at the high end.
You can browse the full list for 2025 through the ILTM Cannes Exhibitor Directory.
After-Hours Life: Parties, Yacht Events and Off-Site Gatherings
Evenings in Cannes are an essential part of ILTM. Many brands host receptions, private dinners, beach club gatherings and yacht events. Advisors often say that some of the most productive conversations happen after hours as the Riviera settles into its night rhythm.
Popular gatherings include:
- IHG’s coastal reception, frequently one of the most photographed events of the week.
- Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ celebration, known for relaxed networking and live music.
- Destination cocktail nights hosted by tourism boards from Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
- Private yacht receptions held by select hotel groups for a more personal setting.
This social side of ILTM gives attendees the space to deepen relationships while enjoying the unique atmosphere of Cannes.
How to Prepare for ILTM Cannes 2025
A strong experience at ILTM Cannes starts with preparation. Here are simple, effective steps to help you get ready:
- Register early on the ILTM Cannes website.
- Use the iltm buyer zone to build your schedule and arrange meetings well ahead of time.
- Research the people and brands you plan to meet so each conversation stays sharp and relevant.
- Bring clear, story-led examples of what you offer and how your approach fits the luxury travel space.
- Keep evenings open so you can attend receptions or informal gatherings where deeper conversations develop.
- Follow up within forty-eight hours after the event to maintain momentum.
