Over 4,400 meetings took place at leading new trade event for buyers and sellers of romance travel.
Setting a new standard for romance travel trade shows, the inaugural edition of Amour took place from 12-15 February 2017 in the heart of Venice, Italy, at the iconic Hilton Molino Stucky Venice Hotel.
With a turnout that exceeded expectations, over 100 buyers (of which 42% were wedding planners, 38% were private travel designers and 18% travel agencies) came together with 111 suppliers (69% hotels, 23% hotel groups, plus convention bureaus and DMCs) to network and build long term business relationships. Suppliers included big names such as Schloss Fuschl, Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay The Dylan Amsterdam, as well as more boutique properties including Hanging Gardens of Bali, Castello Di Naro, and Zaya Nurai Hotel in Abu Dhabi. A significant number of UK buyers were in attendance, including Chic Weddings, Classic Vacations and Raspberry Bespoke Events.
Over the course of three days, delegates from across the world experienced an itinerary creatively designed to incorporate meaningful 1-2-1 meetings and focused networking, whilst allowing time to discover hidden gems among the breath-taking ancient architecture, famous canals and endless mysterious passageways of Italy’s Floating City.
Social highlights included an opening party on the first night, where representatives gathered to sip on signature Amour cocktails, created by the renowned mixologists at Pernod Ricard.
Continuing the theme of love, day two saw attendees setting off on a ‘Hunt for Casanova’, organised by Target Motivation, a leading Italian DMC service group. During the fun, team-building activity guests passed through iconic Venice landmarks, including St. Mark’s Square, in pursuit of the illusive womaniser. This was followed by a dazzling night at the Love Travel Awards gala dinner at The Westin Europa & Regina, where a lavish dinner and glamorous awards ceremony saw the world’s most romantic hotels and resorts crowned.
On day three delegates were treated to a private visit to Fondaco dei Tedeschi and immersed themselves in the spirit of ‘The Las Vegas of the 16th Century’ at a Venetian Mask Making Workshop where they were able to select and decorate their own personal mask. This mask was then worn to Amour’s decadent closing party, the ‘St Valentine’s Masquerade Ball’ at Casanova’s original stomping ground: Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal. With authentic stone floors and ambient candlelight creating a boudoir-like atmosphere in the hotel’s stunning Ridalto rooms, a night of fine dining, dancing and grandeur like no other ensued.
To round off the event awards were also presented to the Most Valuable Buyer and Leading Sales Professional. Following voting by all of the delegates, the award for Leading Sales Professional was presented to Amanda Syrowatka, Director of Sales & Marketing at Viceroy Bali; the Most Valuable Buyer award was won by Matthew Goldbert, a Partner at Matthew Oliver Weddings.
Andy Price, Event Director of Amour & Love Travel Awards said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the way the inaugural edition of Amour came together. It was fantastic to bear witness to the formation of so many crucial new business connections and feedback has reinforced our intention, that attendees have forged bonds with contacts that they would never have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. We look forward to seeing the event become an annual staple for the romance travel industry.”
Dyana Dessar Simmons, a wedding planner from optimum weddings by The Wedding Company said: “This is the best event I have ever been to. I am very impressed with the mix of buyers and suppliers and I know that we will create long-lasting and mutually beneficial business relationships. We are looking forward to the next one already!”
For more information go to www.amourforum.com / www.lovetravelawards.com
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For further media information please contact:
Rachel Sewell / Stuart Fyfe / James Brooke
Rooster PR
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About Amour
Taking place from 12-15 February 2017 in Venice, Amour is a new trade event bringing together innovative romance travel specialists and destination wedding planners to meet and connect with the most awe-inspiring, romantic properties in the world.
Over the course of three days, Amour will provide 100 romantic hotels, resorts and wedding venues with the opportunity to meet 1-2-1 with 40 selected romance travel buyers, chosen in advance.
Attendees include 100 Global buyers, consisting of destination wedding planners, honeymoon specialists and romance travel specialists, including private travel designers, high-end travel agencies, lifestyle management specialists, concierge companies and tour operators. Alongside this will be 100 Global suppliers: Hotels, resorts and venues with a romance travel offering (wedding facilities, honeymoon experiences, etc.) plus tourist boards and DMCs. Confirmed suppliers include: Soneva Fushi (Maldives), Toscana Resort Castelfalfi, Armani Dubai, Ciragan Palace Kempinski Istanbul, The Mulia Bali, Pine Cliffs Resort (Algarve), and Hotel Ranga (Iceland).
Amour is run by Worldwide Events, which operates the industry-leading events; M&I Forums and PRIVATE Luxury Forums.
For more information, visit www.amourforum.com/ or follow Amour on Facebook (www.facebook.com/amourforums), Twitter (@amourforums) or Instagram (@amourforums)
About Love Travel Awards
The Love Travel Awards are the first trade awards to recognise the most romantic hotels and venues in the world, as voted for by international travel professionals.
The inaugural Love Travel Awards ceremony was hosted at Westin Europa and Regina in Venice, Italy on 13 February 2017, during Amour.
Awards include: Best Wedding Hotel, Most Romantic City Hotel, Most Romantic Resort Hotel, and Most Romantic Hotel Brand, with each category split by region.
The lavish black-tie ceremony brought together over 230 individuals from the romance travel sector, such as private travel designers, concierge specialists, destination wedding planners and representatives from the most romantic properties on earth.
For more information visit: www.lovetravelawards.com
