Paul Martin on his first river cruise after Group Leisure & Travel Show meeting

It just shows that any visitor through the doors at the Group Leisure & Travel Show, no matter how well-travelled, can walk away with new holiday ideas. Former Flog It! presenter, Paul Martin admits that a cruise wasn’t top of his list when he last visited the event, but led to a new experience. 

After speaking to the team at Emerald Cruises at the 2021 show in Milton Keynes, the cruise line welcomed the antiques expert on board Emerald Liberté for a sailing to the south of France where he shared his wisdom with passengers through a special talk. 

“Talking to people face to face is so reassuring. They’ve been there, they’ve done it, and they can tell you exactly what it’s like, what to experience and how exciting it is.” 

Paul Martin

Listen to Paul Martin at the 2024 GLT Show

Paul, who is one of three celebrity speakers at the 2024 GLT Show taking place on Thursday 3rd October, said: “I absolutely loved cruising, it’s something I had never done before until I networked with the team at the GLT Show, but the food and the hospitality was just amazing.

“I had to go out on all the tours every day and then do special talks in the evening to entertain guests. It was lovely because at dinner I got to table hop and get to know everyone, which I learned is a big part of river cruising. It was lovely that people got to know another side of me and I met lots of new friends.

“I loved sailing from Marseille and admiring all the beautiful scenery in that part of the world - I hope I book up some more trips this year at the 2024 Show!”

Even more inspiration in Milton Keynes

Paul, who will be taking to the Seminar Theatre stage at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes this autumn, said that his last visit also led to unique visits that he couldn’t have predicted.

He told us: “Last time I did very well by chatting to as many people as I could. After the GLT Show in 2021, I visited Blenheim Palace, Lincoln Cathedral and Ely Cathedral so 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, and my whole career has been built around travel.”

When talking about the importance of group travel organisers and coach tour operators making the most of the experience by meeting exhibitors on the day, Paul added: “Talking to people face to face is so reassuring. They’ve been there, they’ve done it, and they can tell you exactly what it’s like, what to experience and how exciting it is. 

“That’s the great thing about gaining information from those in the know. The more you talk to people, the more you exchange information, the better a person you are.”