Survey confirms Group Leisure & Travel Show is the most popular with GTOs

71% of survey participants said that they visit the Group Leisure & Travel Show, which was significantly ahead of Excursions (33%), the British Tourism & Travel Show (15%) and London for Groups Live (9%).

When asked ‘what is your preferred exhibition to visit’ the GLT Show also came top with 61% in comparison to Excursions (16%), BTTS (12%) and London for Groups Live (5%).

The latest Organising Group Trips & Holidays survey had 322 respondents between 15th March and 16th April and targeted group travel organisers. Anyone not meeting that criteria, or any ‘spam’ or ‘bots’, were filtered out and not included in the final results. 

In addition to asking participants what exhibitions they visit, and magazines and websites they use, it also looked to uncover the trends and views of group travel organisers across a range of subjects. This included how far they are willing to travel as a group, how far ahead they book different types of trips, and what themes are popular for them.

You can read the full findings of the survey here.

When is the Group Leisure & Travel Show?

The 2023 Group Leisure & Travel Show takes place on Thursday 5th October at the Marshall Arena, Milton Keynes. Visiting is free and group organisers can expect to meet a fantastic array of attractions, hotels, tour and coach operators, tourist boards, cruise lines and more. Parking is free, adjacent to the Arena, there are free coach transfers across various routes, a free shuttle bus from MK Central train station, plus a free bacon butty breakfast and free light lunch.

Plus the Seminar Theatre is free and open for everyone to attend. This year’s line-up is: TV presenter, Matt Allwright, who is best known for Rogue Traders, Watchdog and The One Show; Frances Tophill from Gardeners’ World; and travel expert Simon Calder. You can find out more about them and their sessions by clicking here.

Get free entry for 2023

Why is the GLT Show still the most popular?

Sharon Yandell, who organises the event said: “I think we really understand our audience and that comes from the fact our company has operated in the groups market for over three decades. They trust our brand to deliver a valuable and enjoyable experience. It’s all very well saying you’re for groups, but there’s no other exhibition that does what we do.” 

GTOs seem to agree, with 2022 visitor Becky Chikaura of Ms Bee Group Travel telling us: “The GLT Show just has that atmosphere where you know you’re in a room with like-minded people and you get ideas. I will keep coming to the GLT Show every year because we get so much information here, you all put on a great experience for us and you can find a whole range of ideas.”

“I will keep coming to the GLT Show every year… you all put on a great experience for us and you can find a whole range of ideas.”

Becky Chikaura, Ms Bee Group Travel

Mike Herring of Kings Cliffe Old Blokes Club, said: “When I worked in business, I did lots of exhibitions and it’s tough to please everyone who is visiting on the day, but you make it very easy because you get your free bacon roll, you get your free parking, you don’t have to pay for lunch and you make it incredibly customer-friendly for people like me who want to come along. If you’re going to somewhere like the NEC, it can become a really expensive day out but here, it’s all customer orientated so I’m impressed by it.”

Visitor feedback from the 2022 show revealed that 95% said their show experience was good or very good, 98% said their visit to the show gave them good ideas to help plan future group trips or holidays, and 92% said they would visit the exhibition if it was held at the Marshall Arena again.