This year’s Group Leisure & Travel Show speakers and some of the GTOs planning to attend tell us what they’re looking forward to at the event in Milton Keynes on 3rd October.
The UK’s best event for group travel organisers and coach tour operators returns to the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes on 3rd October. The GLT Show is a brilliant one-day exhibition when people come together to discover ideas, offers and experts to help them create memorable group trips and holidays.
Flog It! presenter Paul Martin is excited to be returning to the Seminar Theatre stage, after making an appearance in 2021. He said: “Last time I did very well by chatting to as many people as I could. I visited Blenheim Palace, Lincoln Cathedral and Ely Cathedral and I can’t wait to come back and spend the whole day there again. I love floating around and talking to everybody because I love travel.”
“I love floating around and talking to everybody because I love travel.”
Paul Martin, former Flog It! presenter and 2024 speaker
Regular speaker and travel guru Simon Calder said: “The Group Leisure & Travel Show is an annual highlight because I meet a whole range of group organisers and travel professionals who together are enriching so many lives by providing great tourism experiences. I’ll learn a lot about what’s happening across the sector, and I also know if I turn up nice and early I’ll be able to grab a bacon butty!”
Watch the best bits from the 2024 GLT Show…
Wine critic and presenter Jilly Goolden, who completes this year’s Seminar Theatre line-up said: “I’m looking forward to it very much indeed. I love these shows, I think there’s a great energy to them and a very relevant focus. I am going to be suggesting some places that you can enjoy visiting as a group to taste and experience wine.”
Need help getting to the GLT Show?
Save petrol and enjoy a hassle-free coach journey with three different routes that travel directly to the Marshall Arena. You can also make use of a free shuttle service from Milton Keynes train station, which runs every 30 minutes. Those driving will find ample free parking outside the arena.
Why GTOs love the show and their top tips
Marian Durbidge of Herts Theatre Club said: “I always make sure I attend the GLT Show as it’s a great place to meet people and get new ideas. There is plenty to see and there is lots of information about different events and holidays. I like catching up with people I don’t see often.”
Pat Lake, who runs Chippy Active Trips, said: “I’m looking forward to finding some new ideas for future trips and meeting old friends. My best tip is to always work out from the official Show Guide (given to all visitors on arrival) who you need to visit and who you want to listen to.”
Sue Povey of Out and About with Sue, added: “If there are several exhibitors that a group organiser particularly needs to see, it helps to try and fix a time beforehand to meet up on their stand but it is also good to go with an open mind and explore and gather new ideas.”
Clive Roylance, Lordship Leisure Groups, described the GLT Show was a ‘great place to catch up with past contacts and meet new ones’. He added: “I check the exhibitors list beforehand and make a note of any I particularly want to talk to. When I arrive, I walk the hall and have a quick look at the stands then I’ll seek out those I want to talk to or start my second run, stopping wherever something takes my attention.”
You’ll find a specialist range of exhibitors at the Group Leisure & Travel Show, such as attractions, theatres, tour operators, coach companies, river and cruise lines, hotels and DMOs / tourist boards, all on-hand with knowledge and expertise.
Register to visit for free at grouptravelshow.com/register
