| Utrecht, January 17, 2025 - The Vakantiebeurs, organized by Royal Jaarbeurs, will focus its Travel Trade Days next year on the hottest topics in the travel industry: technology, destination management, sustainability and business. Marleen Rompen, fair manager: "We already made a first move last week with the well-attended brand new trade event Travel & Tech, with a focus on digitalization in the travel industry. I am looking forward to taking an even bigger step next year by focusing on the three other topical themes in the travel industry. This will allow us to better respond to the changing desires and needs of travel professionals regarding a future-proof travel industry."
Groundbreaking trade event Travel & Tech: technology meets the future of travel
Travel & Tech offered travel professionals insights on digital transformation in the travel industry last week. Speaker Romy Cywie of Digital Tourism Think Thank said, "Travel & Tech was a perfect kickoff to the new tourism season with a hefty dose of inspiration and really insightful discussions. During a panel we looked at the future role of technology and the opportunities for tourism from different perspectives." Exhibitor Richard Kuijpers of SmartRobot Solutions also looks back with great enthusiasm: "It was great to be part of the first edition. Travel & Tech offered plenty of opportunities to connect with other innovations and it was an honor to be on stage myself. I look forward to participating again next year." Trendwatcher Lieke Lamb opened Travel & Tech, adding, "It was a real honor to open the first edition of Travel & Tech, a groundbreaking event where cutting-edge technology meets the future of travel. The insights shared here are not only inspiring, but essential for driving innovation and shaping the future of our industry."
Experts set joint course for travel industry
The first successful edition of the Travel & Tech trade event confirms Jaarbeurs's decision to expand the Travel Trade Days in 2026. Exhibitor Daan Lodewijks of TravelSpirit: "With Travel & Tech, as far as I am concerned, a foundation has been laid to expand the traditionally cozy trade day with inspiration. B2B inspiration wider than just destinations and travel. For example in the field of digitalization we can still make great strides together. And very valuable for exhibitors and industry peers to engage in both planned and accidental conversations with the target audience. This event deserves a larger audience." Marleen Rompen: "Thanks to valuable contributions from experts, together we are setting the course for the travel industry. I am proud that with this first edition of Travel & Tech during the Vakantiebeurs, we from Jaarbeurs have helped the travel industry a step further in the field of digital transformation within the industry."
Jaarbeurs looks forward to renewed Vakantiebeurs and Travel Trade Days
Last week, Jaarbeurs presented its new concept for Vakantiebeurs 2026 which clearly separates travel professionals with the Travel Trade Days (B2B) from visitors with the Vakantiebeurs (B2C). Marleen Rompen: "During the Travel Trade Days, more than 6,300 travel professionals gained knowledge and expertise, discovered new trends and technologies with the aim of achieving sustainable growth in the travel sector. After the successful and well-attended first edition of the trade event 'Travel & Tech', which focused on digitalization in the travel industry, I am proud that we are now going one step further."
Vakantiebeurs 2026 will take place from Thursday, January 8 to Sunday, January 11. The Vakantiebeurs Travel Trade Days will take place on Wednesday January 7 and Thursday January 8 at Royal Jaarbeurs. |
