Frequently Asked Questions

Jacobs Media Group (JMG) is proud to present the newly launched Global Travel Week powered by Connections.

Global Travel Week powered by Connections is the event that unites decision-makers in all markets of travel, featuring; Aspire, ATAS, Connections Luxury, Resilience Council, Unity Through Tourism, Travel Weekly and Travolution, all of which are part of JMG.

The event will showcase JMG’s worldwide portfolio, where the travel industry will come together to network, do business, cooperate through tourism, and expand opportunities.

Global Travel Week welcomes global tourist boards and their private sector to meet and do business with qualified buyers from the UK, as well as an overseas contingent. Attendees will represent the luxury, meetings incentives, wellbeing, adventure, weddings and mainstream leisure segments.

Global Travel Week powered by Connections features a number of initiatives including highly-targeted one-to-one meetings conducted in the Connections Way for the luxury and mainstream sectors, insightful panel discussions, networking receptions, working lunches and a conference on travel technology.

Experience three quality events under one roof - Global Travel Week, Connections Luxury and Travolution - with the opportunity for delegates to attend shared seminars and enjoy shared experiences.

As the global voice for the travel and hospitality industries, Jacobs Media Group (JMG) offers an unrivalled multimedia portfolio which connects, informs and inspires these dynamic and evolving sectors.

JMG has developed a market leading portfolio of brands with a truly multinational footprint spanning five continents.

JMG brands include Travel Weekly UK, Aspire, The Caterer, Connections, Travolution , Unity Through Tourism, Global Travel & Tourism Resilience Council, ATAS, Globe Travel Awards, The Cateys, The British Travel & Hospitality Hall of Fame and UK Sommelier of the Year.

In 2020, JMG won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise International trade. JMG was recognised in the 2020 awards for outstanding short term growth in overseas sales, having expanded its global business in the previous three years by over 60%.

There is a vital and optimal window of opportunity to support your destination in its roadmap to recovery and resurgence.

Our aim is to present a platform to engage international trade, to grant access to your private sector to meet a targeted audience from around the globe, and to raise awareness, knowledge and desire to travel to your destination and its regions.

• Guaranteed Meetings

Offer your private sector the opportunity to fill their diary with meetings. Each attendee can enjoy a full schedule of meetings.

• Qualified agencies

Connections are experts in buyer recruitment; we understand the industry on a deeper level. All attendees are at decision maker level, representing sectors including luxury, meetings incentives, wellbeing, adventure, weddings and mainstream.

• Cost Effective

We are confident this is the most cost effective solution on the market, offering the strongest ROI. Our industry needs to move forward now, so we need to play an instrumental role in the recovery and resurgence of our industry.

• Flexible

Flexibility has never been more important. Attendance to this event can be achieved virtually or physically (Connections Luxury has delivered over 43 in person and virtual events worldwide). Our online meeting system is cutting edge, giving you the choice of when and who you meet to conduct business.

• Impact

It’s proven that memorable meetings lead to long-lasting business relationships. To our tourist boards attending, we encourage you to bring your region to life through Connections experiences, showcasing your culture, fashion, cuisine and arts to leading buyer agencies

Global Travel Week powered by Connections is taking place from Monday 27 September - Thursday 30 September 2021. Members of Connections Luxury are also invited to a private reception on the evening of Sunday 26 September.

The event will be held at The Kia Oval in London and will be open to delegates from 08.00-18.00 from Monday 27 - Thursday 30 September.

Located near Victoria, The Kia Oval is easily accessible with transportation links from the West End, the City and all South East Counties.

We understand that flexibility is important during this unprecedented time, therefore a virtual one-to-one meetings programme will be held from Monday 4 - Tuesday 5 October 2021 for delegates who are unable or unwilling to attend the event in-person by registering by the deadline of Friday 30 July.

The virtual programme will consist of one-to-one meetings available in 30-minute slots across two days, 24 hours a day.

Each company will be given a personalised agenda where they will have the opportunity to schedule meetings with buyers around the world on a 24 hour basis.

Should you really wish to participate in both the face-to-face and virtual events, separate fees will apply.

It means that Global Travel Week is organised by Connections, and utilises the Connections Way of doing business.

Connections is the next generation of doing business. Designed for decision-makers, Connections has pioneered a new way of building trust through memorable experiences that lead to long-lasting business relationships through the Connections Way.

Connections was born in 2014. Inspired by the science of mind and behaviour, we pioneered the Connections Way, a new-age networking concept which combines one-to-one meetings and memorable experiences to forge long-lasting business relationships.

Today, the Connections Way of doing business has been experienced by thousands of leaders who have become part of our global community. Senior executives from around the world can connect and transform their businesses by utilising the Connections Way, and contribute to progressive conversations that will shape the future of their industry.

Please click here to see the full programme. Global Travel Week includes the following events:

• Mainstream Delegates (09.00 BST Monday 27 - 18.00 BST Wednesday 29 September)

For senior travel trade professionals in leisure travel. Delegates will participate in one-to-one meetings, working lunches, private receptions and insightful content sessions from Travel Weekly, ATAS, Unity Through Tourism and Resilience Council to inspire our audience’s innovative passion. The programme will officially end on Wednesday 29 September at 18.00 BST.

• Luxury Delegates (18.30 BST Sunday 26 September - 18.00 BST on Wednesday 29 September)

Connections Luxury members are invited to a private welcome evening on Sunday 26 September ahead of the official opening on Monday 27 September. Thereafter, delegates will participate in one-to-one meetings, working lunches, private receptions and insightful content sessions from Travel Weekly, Aspire, ATAS, Unity Through Tourism and Resilience Council to inspire our audience’s innovative passion. The programme will officially end on Wednesday 29 September at 18.00 BST.

• Insight Sessions

1. Travel Weekly insights session (17.00-18.00 BST Monday 27 September)
2. ATAS insights session on adventure travel (17.00-18.00 BST Tuesday 28 September)
3. Aspire insight session on the luxury sector (Wednesday 29 14.00- 15.00 BST)
4. Global Travel and Tourism Resilience Council Insight session on crisis communication (15.00-16.00 BST Wednesday 29 September).
5. Unity Through Tourism to educate, inform and bring together the destinations of the Commonwealth (16.00-17.00 BST Wednesday 29 September)

• The Travolution European Summit (09.00-17.00 BST Thursday 30 September. An additional registration and delegate fee applies.)

The programme features senior speakers from leading brands within the sector, as well as experts from outside travel to inspire our audience’s innovative passion.

*All dates & times subject to change

Any senior trade professional can participate in Global Travel Week as the programme caters for segments such as luxury, meetings incentives, wellbeing, adventure, weddings, mainstream travel and travel technology.

Delegates can participate in one or more event or content sessions available during Global Travel Week depending on your area of expertise or interests.

Register your interest at globaltravelweek.com. Please see all the participation options below:

If you want to meet senior professionals in the mainstream / leisure sector, you can attend as a:

Tourist Board

Destinations have the opportunity to attend one-to-one meetings and content sessions, as well as showcase unique, regional experiences that will bring to life the culture and heritage of their region.

Attend as a Leisure Supplier with your Tourist Board

Senior travel trade professionals operating in the mainstream segment will be able to apply via their tourist board to attend this event and will have access to all one-to-one meetings and content sessions from Monday-Wednesday. Suppliers shall also have access to the Travolution European Summit for an additional delegate fee (please ensure you register separately).

Attend as a Buyer

Senior travel trade professional travel agents will be able to apply to attend and have access to all one-to-one meetings and content sessions from Monday-Wednesday. Additionally, you can also attend the Travolution European Summit on Thursday 30 September for an additional delegate fee (please ensure you register separately).

If you want to meet senior professionals in the luxury sector, you can attend as a:

Connections Luxury Supplier Member

From global brands, independent boutiques and experiential product, to destinations and transportation.

Connections Luxury Buyer Member

High calibre senior travel agencies and concierge from the UK with a small contingent from Europe and overseas.

Luxury Supplier with your Tourist Board

Non-members of Connections Luxury who represent luxury products are invited to attend alongside their tourist board and should contact their tourist board to agree participation.

If you want to just learn about the travel and tourism industry in more depth, you can attend as a:

Travolution European Summit Delegate

The conference welcomes 400 senior professionals, marketeers and CTO’s from the travel and hospitality world from brands and the technology and digital services providers that support them.

To attend as a supplier delegate and participate in the one-to-one meetings within either the luxury or leisure travel programmes, an event fee will possibly apply.

Buyers are able to attend the Global Travel Week programme on a complimentary basis.

To attend as a delegate to the Travolution European Summit, an additional registration and delegate fee will apply.

Register your interest at globaltravelweek.com

Tourist boards need to register the total number of private sector companies that they want to have participating in Global Travel Week by Friday 28 May 2021.

By Friday 30 July 2021 the tourist board will need to inform us of how many virtual and how many in person.

Connections Luxury is the international private community for trusted decision-makers in luxury travel, with specialist sectors such as adventure, FIT, weddings, wellbeing and meetings incentives supporting thousands of senior professionals.

Global Travel Week will welcome mainstream delegates, as well as a luxury contingent who meet the Connections Luxury member criteria; decision-makers from leading suppliers, high-calibre travel agencies and concierge. We expect a high contingency of senior professionals to attend from the UK, with a small number from Europe. Additionally, tourist boards are invited to attend with private sector companies from around the world who also meet the Connections Luxury requirements.

Global Travel Week's luxury delegation programme will commence at 18:30 BST on Sunday 26 September and finish at 18:00 BST on Wednesday 29 September 2021, with additional, private receptions featured during the event.

Delegates attending the luxury programme will have one-to-one meetings in person during Global Travel Week. However, if at the last minute a delegate is not able to physically attend, that meeting can still take place virtually; both buyer and supplier will be able to access a dedicated meetings link via our digital meetings platform.

Connections Luxury Members

Connections Luxury members will be able to either attend Global Travel Week in-person from Sunday 26 September 2021, or join the virtual programme which will be taking place on Monday 4 - Tuesday 5 October 2021. Connections Luxury members must choose whether they are attending physically or virtually by 31 July 2021. (The cost of participation can be discussed with sam@weareconnections.com)

Non-member Luxury Suppliers

Luxury suppliers attending with their tourist board can also attend Global Travel Week in-person, or opt to join the virtual programme on Monday 4 - Tuesday 5 October 21. We advise the private sector companies to consult their tourist board regarding registration fees, and advise them on whether they will be attending physically or virtually by 31 July 2021.

Each virtual delegate will be given a personalised agenda where they will have the opportunity to schedule meetings with buyers from around the world on a 24-hour basis.

Upon qualification to attend Global Travel Week, you will be granted access to the meetings portal where you will be able to update your contact details and manage your diary.

Meetings will be held at 30-minute intervals. During the event, we ask all suppliers to be at their dedicated meeting table first. Buyers will refer to their digital agenda to find your meeting table. Together, you are able to participate in a memorable experience as an icebreaker to your meeting.

The Connections experiences will be conducted the Connections Way. At the event, you will find different destination zones where you will find a variety of experiences to choose from. Each meeting pair will have a list of available experiences to them. Connections experiences are dedicated to creating the best possible environment to help our buyers, suppliers and sponsors create deep, long-lasting business relationships.

These activities are intended to act as an enhancement for tabletop introductory meetings. As soon as you meet, we encourage you to try an activity together. However, the choice is yours! Please remember to go back to your assigned table at the start of each meeting.

We are working to bring you the most exciting and experiential meetings. More details as to the full programme to come.

The Connections Way format promotes one-to-one meetings in order to fast-track the trust needed to do business, therefore we allow only one person from each company to join each meeting.

For tourist boards and private sector companies attending, we encourage you to bring your region to life through Connections experiences, showcasing your culture, fashion, cuisine and arts to leading buyer agencies.

We will provide the space and you will provide the experience. There will be no sponsorship cost associated with this initiative and it will be a great opportunity for your country and product to shine.

At Global Travel Week powered by Connections, the health and safety of our attendees and staff is always our top priority.

We will continue to measure guidelines of the World Health Organization as well as the norms issued by the national and regional health authorities.

Global Travel Week will work closely with tourist boards and government authorities to closely monitor the environment and adhere to all rules and regulations to visitors coming into London.

We have been talking to industry bodies and professionals, our staff, our clients, and checking, daily on the government advice to ensure that we are at the forefront of any changes to guidance and innovations within the events industry.

We may require you to have a Lateral Flow Test as condition of entry to the event. We reserve the right to refuse admission to anyone who cannot provide a negative test result or evidence of vaccination.

Global Travel Week Covid measures include:

• Extensive cleaning procedures
• Anti-bacterial cleaners used throughout the venue
• Fully-trained staff on social distancing and new hygiene measures
• PPE equipment supplied to all members of staff tailored to their role
• Use of the same members of staff where possible to reduce infection risk
• Increased signage throughout the venue to encourage safe practices and personal hygiene (clear but not overpowering)
• All rooms set up to meet a minimum spacing requirement (2m as per the government guidelines and 1m as per WHO guidelines dependent)
• Pre-packaged food, cooked and prepared on site (when possible)
• Covered outdoor lunch spaces
• Remote temperature checks on all guests and staff
• Touch-free dispensers throughout the ground

Hosted Buyers

As part of our hosted buyer programme, we are delighted to offer complimentary accommodation during Global Travel Week’s meetings, experiences and insights segment (27-29 September). 

Confirmed buyer delegates attending physically will receive a three-night stay at a London hotel (check-in: 26 September, check-out: 29 September). 

We will confirm the details of your host hotel at least 14 days ahead of Global Travel Week. 

Please contact alex@weareconnections.com if you have any questions.

Attending Suppliers

We have negotiated a preferable rate at the following hotels in London (subject to availability) with the following hotels: Rosewood London; The Doyle Collection; Great Scotland Yard; Langham London, The Westminster London, Hilton London Kensington and Hilton London Olympia.

The venue is Kennington Oval, London SE11 5SS should you wish to find an alternative more suitable for you. If you have any questions, please contact sam@weareconnections.com

Transfers will not be provided, please ensure you allow extra time in the morning to ensure you arrive at the venue in time for your one-to-one meetings.

BY UNDERGROUND

Take the Northern Line to the Oval tube station. The main entrance to the ground is 100 metres on your left on leaving the station. The ground is also a ten-minute walk from Vauxhall tube station which is served by the Victoria line.

For more information on the underground visit www.tfl.gov.uk.

BY BUS

Route numbers 36, 185 and 436 stop outside the ground and other local services stop around the corner. The following buses set down within a 5-minute walk of the ground: 3, 59, 109, 133, 159, 333.

For more information on the buses visit www.tfl.gov.uk.

BY RAIL

Take South Western Railway trains to Vauxhall station, which is a ten-minute walk from the ground. The station is well served by trains throughout Surrey and Hampshire as well as from the Greater London area.

BY CAR

Kennington Oval, Oval, London SE11 5SS, United Kingdom

Tourist Boards: Greg Reeves, greg@weareconnections.com and Abbie.downes@jacobsmediagroup.com

Luxury Supplier: Sam Blunsdon, sam@weareconnections.com

All buyer enquiries: Alex Roca, alex@weareconnections.com or Jesse Sharp jesse@weareconnections.com

Marketing & Communications: Gemma Fitchett, gemma@weareconnections.com

Operations & Logistics: Evangeline Estrella evangeline@weareconnections.com

Travolution: Lee Hayhurst, lee.hayhurst@travelweekly.co.uk

Aspire, ATAS, Unity Through Tourism, Resilience Council and Travel Weekly:

Daniela Wagner, daniela@jacobsmediagroup.com