The Hoteliers European Marketplace 2014 Returns to Paris

In February 2014, ETOA will bring the Hoteliers European Marketplace workshop (HEM) to Paris for the first time in eighteen years. HEM is ETOA’s only B2B workshop focussed on a specific sector within the industry, bringing accommodation buyers (from wholesalers to tour operators and online intermediaries) directly to the table with hoteliers from across Europe.

HEM provides an opportunity for professional buyers to meet with global brands and independent hotels alike. Previous HEM workshops have been attended by representatives on the accommodation side from major chains such as Accor, Best Western, Carlson Rezidor, Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Marriott, Starwood and Wyndham. Buyers have included Cox and Kings, Globus, Hostelbookers.com, Kuoni, Miki Travel and Shearings Holidays.

HEM 2014 will follow the highly productive B2B appointment format common to all ETOA workshops. Each delegate is guaranteed a minimum of fifteen appointments and up thirty-two in one day. HEM 2013 attained an 85% satisfaction score from both buyers and hoteliers, Kate Sawbridge from Alfa Travel said the workshop was ‘a fantastic contracting opportunity – a day could not have been better spent in terms of productivity’.

The workshop itself will take place on Monday 17th February at Disneyland’s Hotel New York®. Buyers attending the workshop will be hosted and invited to enjoy a programme of fam trips and social events during the preceding weekend, organised by the Paris Ile-de-France Tourist Board, both at Disneyland Paris® and in the centre of the city. Hoteliers will benefit from preferential accommodation rates.

François Navarro, Director of Communications at the Paris Ile-de-France Tourist Board said: ‘The Paris Region Tourist Board is proud to welcome a new edition of the Hoteliers European Marketplace in 2014. It is a huge opportunity for our destination and for all of our tourism professionals. Paris is the perfect setting for an important tourism industry event where European hoteliers to meet with leading tour operators.’

Eloi Courcoux, Director of Business Solutions at Disneyland Paris said: “As a leading European player in the business group industry, Business Solutions – Disneyland Paris is delighted to welcome Hoteliers European Marketplace to France next year and more specifically to Ile-de-France with the co-operation of the Paris Ile-de-France Tourist Board. Our teams are proud to showcase the diversity of their expertise to tourism and hospitality professionals’.

Tom Jenkins, Executive Director of ETOA said: ‘We are thrilled to be taking HEM to Paris Ile-de-France. Paris is one of the most compelling tourist destinations in Europe, and it is ensuring professional buyers experience some of its best attractions at a crucial moment in the contracting season. It also gives ETOA a wonderful opportunity to stage a workshop in the impressive conference facilities of Disneyland Paris.’