In the dynamic world of private equity, staying ahead of industry trends and forging strategic partnerships is crucial for success. As the travel and tourism sector continues to evolve, private equity firms are increasingly turning their attention to this vibrant industry. With its potential for high returns and global impact, travel and tourism present a wealth of opportunities for dealmaking. To navigate this landscape effectively, attending top conferences is essential. These events offer invaluable insights, networking opportunities, and a platform to explore potential investments. In this article, we present a curated list of the top travel and tourism conferences for dealmaking in 2025, designed to empower private equity professionals with the knowledge and connections they need to thrive.
Top Travel and Tourism Conferences for Dealmaking in 2025
- IMEX America
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Date: October 07–09, 2025
Website: https://imexamerica.com
Description: IMEX America, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, is the leading global trade show for incentive travel, meetings, and events. With over 3,500 exhibitors and thousands of hosted buyers, IMEX America offers unparalleled networking and deal-making opportunities. For private equity firms, this event highlights emerging event technology providers, venues, and service partners poised for consolidation or investment. By attending sessions and engaging with industry leaders, PE investors gain insights into market trends, innovative platforms, and potential acquisition targets in the meetings and events sector. This strategic vantage point supports rigorous due diligence and helps identify scalable, high-growth assets.
- FITUR Madrid
Location: Madrid, Spain
Date: January 22–26, 2025
Website: https://www.ifema.es/fitur
Description: FITUR Madrid, hosted at IFEMA (Feria de Madrid), is one of the world’s most significant tourism trade fairs. It brings together tourism boards, hospitality chains, and tech startups focused on travel. For private equity firms, FITUR provides a comprehensive overview of evolving travel patterns, sustainability initiatives, and digital platforms transforming tourism distribution. Partnering with regional authorities and global brands at FITUR enables PE investors to spot under-the-radar opportunities, from emerging hotel management platforms to niche tour operators. In-depth exposure to international travel trends and face-to-face interactions with executives foster informed, timely investment decisions in the tourism ecosystem.
- WTM London
Location: London, England, United Kingdom
Date: November 04–06, 2025
Website: https://www.wtm.com/london
Description: World Travel Market (WTM) London, held at ExCeL London, is a premier event for global travel professionals, including airlines, hospitality groups, and technology innovators. This conference convenes over 50,000 attendees from 180 countries, offering rich market intelligence and networking. Private equity firms benefit by evaluating disruptive travel tech, dynamic accommodation platforms, and sustainability-focused service providers showcased here. Direct engagement with senior executives, startups, and industry associations helps identify investment-ready solutions in data analytics, booking engines, and alternative lodging. WTM London’s extensive educational sessions also sharpen PE analysts’ understanding of consumer behavior shifts, regulatory trends, and competitive dynamics across regions.
- Arabian Travel Market
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Date: April 28–May 01, 2025
Website: https://www.wtm.com/atm
Description: Arabian Travel Market (ATM), staged at the Dubai World Trade Centre, is the Middle East’s premier travel and tourism exhibition. With over 2,500 exhibitors and 40,000 attendees, ATM delivers critical insights into inbound and outbound tourism, hospitality development, and transport infrastructure. For private equity firms, ATM is invaluable for discovering high-potential hotel chains, destination management companies, and travel tech startups targeting the GCC region. By engaging in targeted networking, panel discussions, and site visits, PE investors can assess market-leading projects in hotel management systems, hospitality fintech, and sustainable tourism concepts. This engagement lays the groundwork for strategic investments aligned with regional growth trajectories.
- ITB Berlin
Location: Berlin, Germany
Date: March 04–06, 2025
Website: https://www.itb.com
Description: ITB Berlin, hosted at Berlin ExpoCenter City, is the world’s largest travel trade show, featuring 10,000 exhibitors and 160,000 industry professionals annually. The event covers every segment of the travel and tourism value chain—from airlines and hotel chains to travel technology and digital platforms. For private equity firms, ITB Berlin serves as a strategic marketplace to identify consolidation opportunities among European tour operators, cutting-edge booking engines, and hospitality-focused SaaS providers. Direct dialogue with government tourism boards and corporate leaders equips PE investors with region-specific insights and regulatory forecasts. Such intelligence assists in pinpointing scalable, high-margin targets primed for investment.
- Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show
Location: Los Angeles, California, United States
Date: February 22–23, 2025
Website: https://travelshows.com/shows/los-angeles
Description: The Los Angeles Travel & Adventure Show, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, is a premier consumer-facing travel expo featuring over 500 exhibitors from around the globe. Attendees can explore tours, cruises, adventure providers, and emerging travel technologies. For private equity firms, this event highlights consumer travel trends and reveals innovative startups in experiential travel, outdoor gear, and niche tour operations. By networking with exhibitors and attending educational seminars, PE investors can identify scalable travel concepts, assess market demand, and uncover strategic acquisition targets within the high-growth leisure and adventure travel segment.
- PURE Life Experiences
Location: Marrakech, Morocco
Date: September 08–11, 2025
Website: https://purelifeexperiences.com
Description: PURE Life Experiences, hosted at the Palais des Congrès de Marrakech, is a luxury travel showcase focused on upscale wellness, safari, and adventure experiences in Africa. Gathering high-end tour operators, boutique hotels, and travel technology innovators, this conference offers insight into premium travel segments. For private equity firms, PURE Life Experiences provides an opportunity to evaluate affluent market trends, boutique safari lodges, and immersive wellness retreats poised for expansion. Through curated networking and one-on-one meetings, PE investors can identify high-margin boutique operators, assess international demand, and explore strategic partnerships or buyouts in the upscale African tourism sector.
- Seatrade Cruise Global
Location: Miami Beach, Florida, United States
Date: April 07–10, 2025
Website: https://www.seatradecruiseevents.com/global
Description: Seatrade Cruise Global, held at the Miami Beach Convention Center, is the largest annual gathering for the cruise industry, featuring cruise lines, shipbuilders, maritime technology suppliers, and travel agents. The event showcases next-generation ships, onboard innovations, and sustainability initiatives. For private equity firms, this conference offers unparalleled access to emerging maritime technologies, boutique cruise operators, and sustainable ship retrofit solutions. By engaging with industry leaders, PE investors can assess market consolidation opportunities, identify cutting-edge cruise technology platforms, and evaluate high-potential investments in eco-friendly vessel design and niche cruise line models targeting affluent travelers.
- The Travel Goods Show
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Date: March 25–27, 2025
Website: https://travelgoods.org
Description: The Travel Goods Show, hosted at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), unites leading manufacturers, designers, and retailers of luggage, accessories, and travel gear. Attendees preview the latest innovations in functional and sustainable travel products. For private equity firms, this event surfaces emerging brands and manufacturing technologies poised for rapid growth. By meeting with founders and supply-chain partners, PE investors can evaluate promising product lines, assess sourcing efficiencies, and identify acquisition opportunities in high-margin travel accessory companies. Insight into consumer preferences and retail distribution strategies at this show supports data-driven investment decisions in the travel goods sector.
- ITB Asia
Location: Singapore
Date: October 15–17, 2025
Website: https://www.itb-asia.com
Description: ITB Asia, held at Marina Bay Sands, is Asia’s premier travel trade show, featuring exhibitors from tourism boards, hospitality brands, and travel tech startups. This event attracts thousands of buyers seeking partnerships in incoming and outgoing travel markets. For private equity firms, ITB Asia provides a window into Asia’s rapidly evolving travel ecosystem, highlighting fast-growing online travel agencies, specialized tour operators, and experiential tourism concepts. Engaging with regional stakeholders and tech innovators at ITB Asia enables PE investors to identify acquisition targets, assess digital distribution trends, and understand regulatory landscapes for investment opportunities within Southeast Asia’s dynamic travel industry.
- ITB China
Location: Shanghai, China
Date: May 27–29, 2025
Website: https://www.itb-china.com
Description: ITB China, hosted at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center, is a leading trade show connecting Chinese outbound tourism buyers with global suppliers. Exhibitors include tour operators, hotels, and tech platforms tailored to Chinese travelers. For private equity firms, this event highlights the unique preferences of China’s massive middle- and upper-class travel market. By networking with top-tier travel agencies and digital ticketing providers, PE investors can identify domestic tech platforms primed for growth, evaluate joint-venture opportunities, and assess scalable outbound tourism services targeting Chinese consumers, thereby positioning for high returns in a rapidly expanding market segment.
- Adventure Travel Show London
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date: January 11–12, 2025
Website: https://www.adventureshow.com
Description: The Adventure Travel Show London, held at the Business Design Centre (BDC), features over 200 exhibitors showcasing adventure holidays, expedition gear, and specialist tour operators. The event draws outdoor enthusiasts, travel influencers, and adventure media. For private equity firms, this show uncovers niche adventure travel companies specializing in e-biking, eco-trekking, and customized expedition experiences. By meeting founders and attending trend-focused panels, PE investors can evaluate rapidly growing adventure tourism segments, assess environmental sustainability credentials, and identify acquisition targets that cater to affluent, experience-driven travelers seeking unique outdoor adventures.
- Business Travel Show Europe
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date: June 25–26, 2025
Website: https://www.businesstravelshoweurope.com
Description: The Business Travel Show Europe, staged at ExCeL London, brings together corporate travel managers, TMCs (Travel Management Companies), and technology providers. This event highlights duty-of-care solutions, expense management platforms, and travel data analytics. For private equity firms, this conference offers a deep dive into SaaS-based travel management technologies, corporate travel procurement platforms, and AI-driven expense solutions. Direct engagement with software founders and corporate procurement leaders helps PE investors identify high-margin, subscription-driven models poised for rapid scale, assess customer-retention metrics, and uncover strategic acquisition targets within the corporate travel tech ecosystem.
- Chicago Travel & Adventure Show
Location: Rosemont, Illinois, United States
Date: February 01–02, 2025
Website: https://travelshows.com/shows/chicago
Description: The Chicago Travel & Adventure Show, held at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing vacation packages, cruise deals, and adventure tours. The event attracts thousands of Midwest-based travelers eager to plan future trips. For private equity firms, this show offers insight into consumer travel demand in the Midwest and reveals emerging tour operators and travel tech startups. By engaging with exhibitor booths and attending seminars on travel trends, PE investors can assess regional market potential, evaluate consumer spending patterns, and identify scalable travel service providers for potential investment or acquisition.
- Colorado RV Adventure & Travel Show
Location: Denver, Colorado, United States
Date: March 27–29, 2025
Website: https://greatamericanrv.show
Description: The Colorado RV Adventure & Travel Show, staged at the Colorado Convention Center, is the largest recreational vehicle and outdoor travel expo in the region. Exhibitors include RV manufacturers, campsite operators, and outdoor gear suppliers. For private equity firms, this event highlights growth opportunities in the outdoor recreation sector, showcasing innovative RV technology, membership-based campground networks, and outdoor adventure startups. Networking with industry leaders and reviewing market trends helps PE investors assess consolidation opportunities among RV dealers, evaluate subscription-based RV rental platforms, and identify high-potential outdoor lifestyle brands for strategic investment.
- IPW
Location: Chicago, Illinois, United States
Date: June 14–18, 2025
Website: https://www.ipw.com
Description: IPW, held at McCormick Place Convention Center, is the U.S. Travel Association’s premier international inbound travel trade show, bringing together hundreds of U.S. destinations with global buyers. Exhibitors include state tourism offices, major hotel brands, and tour operators. For private equity firms, IPW is essential for understanding inbound travel demand, identifying high-growth U.S. hospitality and attraction assets, and evaluating scalable tour operator businesses. Face-to-face meetings with international buyers and U.S. destination marketing organizations allow PE investors to gauge growth projections, identify emerging travel corridors, and uncover strategic investment opportunities in tourism infrastructure and service providers.
- GBTA Convention
Location: Denver, Colorado, United States
Date: July 21–23, 2025
Website: https://convention.gbta.org
Description: The GBTA (Global Business Travel Association) Convention, hosted at the Colorado Convention Center, gathers corporate travel professionals, TMC executives, and policy makers. Sessions cover global travel policy, risk management, and innovative technology. For private equity firms, GBTA Convention provides a comprehensive view of corporate travel spend patterns, emerging procurement platforms, and AI-driven duty-of-care solutions. By engaging with software vendors and corporate travel directors, PE investors can assess the viability of SaaS tools, evaluate partnership synergies, and identify acquisition targets within corporate travel management that promise robust recurring revenue and high customer retention.
- IBTM World
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Date: November 18–20, 2025
Website: https://www.ibtmworld.com
Description: IBTM World, held at Fira Barcelona Gran Via, is a leading global event for the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) industry. Exhibitors include event venues, DMCs (Destination Management Companies), and event technology providers. For private equity firms, IBTM World offers a bird’s-eye view of MICE market fragmentation and consolidation trends, highlighting event tech startups, venue management platforms, and corporate event agencies. By networking with industry stakeholders and attending trend-focused sessions, PE investors can identify high-potential acquisition targets within event production services and digital event platforms that cater to large-scale corporate and association events.
- ITB India
Location: Mumbai, India
Date: September 02–04, 2025
Website: https://www.itb-india.com
Description: ITB India, held at the Jio World Convention Centre, is India’s foremost travel trade show, featuring exhibitors from hospitality, travel tech, and tourism boards. The event highlights inbound and outbound travel beyond traditional markets. For private equity firms, ITB India offers insights into India’s burgeoning middle-class travel market and the rapid rise of digital travel platforms. By networking with regional OTA (Online Travel Agency) founders, hotel developers, and policy makers, PE investors can assess scalable travel tech solutions, evaluate growth potential of eco-tourism operators, and uncover acquisition opportunities in budget hotel aggregators and niche tour operators.
- SATTE
Location: New Delhi, India
Date: February 19–21, 2025
Website: https://www.satte.in
Description: SATTE (South Asia’s Travel & Tourism Exchange), staged at Yashobhoomi (India International Convention & Expo Centre), is a premier trade show connecting travel suppliers with buyers in the South Asian region. Exhibitors include hospitality chains, tour operators, and travel tech startups. For private equity firms, SATTE provides early access to emerging travel companies, technology-driven tour operators, and regional hospitality developers. Direct engagement with exhibitors and government tourism boards allows PE investors to evaluate market-entry opportunities, gauge regional travel trends, and identify scalable travel services and boutique hotel ventures for potential investment in South Asia’s fast-growing tourism sector.
- COTTM
Location: Beijing, China
Date: April 24–26, 2025
Website: https://www.cottm.com
Description: COTTM (China Outbound Travel & Tourism Market), held at the National Agricultural Exhibition Center, is a major event for China’s outbound travel sector. Exhibitors include tour operators, travel technology providers, and destination marketing organizations. For private equity firms, COTTM is crucial for understanding Chinese outbound tourism trends, evaluating partnerships with established Chinese OTAs, and identifying niche service providers targeting high-income travelers. By engaging in networking sessions and educational forums, PE investors can assess scalable travel tech platforms, explore joint-venture opportunities, and uncover high-potential investments in outbound tour operators and digital travel solutions.
- MITT Moscow
Location: Moscow, Russia
Date: March 18–20, 2025
Website: https://mitt.ru/en
Description: MITT (Moscow International Travel & Tourism Exhibition), hosted at Crocus Expo International Exhibition Center, is Russia’s largest travel trade fair, featuring exhibitors from global tourism boards, hospitality chains, and travel tech companies. For private equity firms, MITT offers insight into post-pandemic travel recovery, emerging Russian tour operators, and collaborative opportunities with established Western brands seeking market entry. In-depth networking with industry leaders and attending targeted sessions helps PE investors evaluate scalable travel tech solutions, assess regional travel demand, and identify acquisition targets in Russian hospitality and adventure tourism sectors.
- Tourism Expo Japan
Location: Tokoname, Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Date: September 25–28, 2025
Website: https://www.t-expo.jp/en
Description: Tourism Expo Japan, held at Aichi Sky Expo, is a premier travel trade exhibition showcasing domestic and inbound tourism opportunities, featuring prefectural tourism boards, major hotel chains, and travel tech startups. For private equity firms, this expo provides a window into Japan’s robust domestic travel market and inbound tourism rebound, highlighting unique hospitality concepts, regional boutique hotels, and VR-driven travel platforms. By engaging with exhibitors and attending trend seminars, PE investors can assess scalable domestic tour operators, explore innovative travel apps targeted at international visitors, and identify high-potential investments in integrated hospitality ventures.
- OTM Mumbai
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Date: January 30–February 01, 2025
Website: https://www.otm.co.in
Description: OTM (Outbound Travel Mart), held at the Jio World Convention Centre, connects Indian travel agents with overseas suppliers, showcasing international tour packages, cruise offerings, and travel technology. For private equity firms, OTM offers insights into India’s outbound travel surge and emerging digital travel platforms tailored to Indian consumers. Networking with key travel agencies and technology vendors enables PE investors to evaluate high-growth travel tech startups, assess scalable OTA models, and identify potential acquisition targets in cruise distribution and experiential tourism services driving Indian outbound tourism.
- New York Travel & Adventure Show
Location: New York City, New York, United States
Date: January 25–26, 2025
Website: https://travelshows.com/shows/new-york
Description: The New York Travel & Adventure Show, held at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, is a consumer-focused travel expo featuring over 600 exhibitors showcasing global destinations, cruises, and specialty tour experiences. For private equity firms, this show provides visibility into U.S. consumer travel preferences, emerging tour operators, and innovative travel tech aimed at affluent Northeast travelers. Engaging with industry professionals and attending trend seminars helps PE investors evaluate market demand, identify scalable domestic and international travel service providers, and uncover strategic investment opportunities in experiential travel niches.
- MATTA Fair
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: April 18–20, 2025
Website: https://www.mattafair.org.my
Description: MATTA Fair, hosted at the Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC), is Southeast Asia’s largest consumer travel fair, featuring airlines, tour operators, and hospitality brands promoting regional and international packages. For private equity firms, this event sheds light on Southeast Asia’s travel demand dynamics and consumer spending priorities. By engaging with regional airlines, boutique resort operators, and travel tech startups, PE investors can assess scalable travel distribution platforms, evaluate partnership opportunities with fast-growing hospitality chains, and identify high-potential acquisitions in the Malaysia tourism ecosystem focusing on medical tourism, eco-resorts, and experiential travel.
- NTA Travel Exchange
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Date: November 09–12, 2025
Website: https://ntatravelexchange.com
Description: NTA (National Tour Association) Travel Exchange, held at Rogers Centre Ottawa, is Canada’s premier event for inbound travel to the U.S. and Canada, featuring tour operators, attractions, and regional DMO (Destination Marketing Organization) representatives. For private equity firms, this exchange provides insights into North American inbound tourism trends, highlighting attractions, tour operator consolidations, and travel tech solutions. By engaging with influential buyers and data-driven workshops, PE investors can evaluate scalable niche tour operators, assess partnership synergies, and identify strategic acquisitions in the attractions and tour management space catering to international travelers.
- Meetings Africa
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Date: February 24–26, 2025
Website: https://www.meetingsafrica.co.za
Description: Meetings Africa, held at the Sandton Convention Centre, is Africa’s premier MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) event, attracting event organizers, hotels, and DMCs (Destination Management Companies). The conference focuses on inbound and outbound meetings, incentives, and conferences in Africa. For private equity firms, Meetings Africa offers visibility into emerging event service providers, venue management platforms, and regional hospitality assets. By networking with government delegations and industry stakeholders, PE investors can evaluate high-growth event technology startups, assess scalable conference venues, and identify strategic investments that support Africa’s rapidly expanding events and hospitality infrastructure.
- Travel Agent Forum
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Date: March 30–April 02, 2025
Website: https://www.travelagentforum.com
Description: Travel Agent Forum, held at Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino, is an invitation-only event for top travel agents, host agencies, and vendor partners. The event features educational sessions on consumer trends, luxury travel, and emerging technology. For private equity firms, Travel Agent Forum provides a unique window into high-end travel distribution channels and luxury tour operators. By engaging with leading agents and luxury suppliers, PE investors can identify boutique travel advisors, assess the potential of premium travel concierge services, and uncover acquisition targets in the luxury travel sector that cater to affluent clientele.
Beneficial Impact of Travel and Tourism on the Economy
The travel and tourism sector is a cornerstone of the global economy, contributing significantly to GDP, employment, and cultural exchange. As one of the fastest-growing industries, it supports millions of jobs worldwide, from hospitality and transportation to retail and entertainment. Private equity investments in this sector can drive innovation, enhance infrastructure, and boost local economies. By channeling capital into travel and tourism, private equity firms help create sustainable business models, improve service delivery, and promote economic development. These investments not only generate financial returns but also foster cross-border collaboration and cultural understanding, enriching societies and economies alike.
Challenges Faced by the Travel and Tourism Sector
Despite its potential, the travel and tourism industry faces several challenges that private equity firms must navigate. Economic fluctuations, geopolitical tensions, and regulatory changes can impact travel patterns and investment opportunities. Additionally, the sector is highly susceptible to external shocks, such as pandemics and natural disasters, which can disrupt operations and affect profitability. Sustainability is another pressing concern, with increasing pressure to reduce carbon footprints and adopt eco-friendly practices. Private equity firms must balance the pursuit of growth with responsible investment strategies that address environmental and social issues. By understanding these challenges, investors can make informed decisions and contribute to the sector's resilience and long-term success.
Conclusion
As the travel and tourism industry continues to expand and transform, private equity firms have a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in its evolution. By attending the top conferences for deal-making in 2025, investors can gain critical insights, forge strategic partnerships, and identify lucrative opportunities. The sector's positive impact on the global economy, coupled with the challenges it faces, underscores the importance of informed and responsible investment. By leveraging their expertise and resources, private equity firms can drive innovation, enhance sustainability, and contribute to the growth and prosperity of the travel and tourism industry.
