Expomedia Events Ltd., part of Expomedia Group Plc are delighted to announce the launch of International Spa Show - London, the UK premier consumer event dedicated to spa industry and spa tourism at one of the most established and prestigious London venues – Olympia National Hall.

The event is planned for 20 - 22 March 2009, period undoubtedly associated with increased consumer bookings for the summer and autumn/winter holiday season.

UK – The 3rd largest travel and tourism source market in the world

With a population of 60 million people, UK represents the world’s third largest outsourcing consumer market for the travel and tourism industry, boasting over 70 million departures abroad and 101 million domestic trips, registering an estimated expenditure of over £52 billion annually. 80% of the UK’s outbound traffic is fuelled by London and the South East of England. The UK consumers are amongst the most affluent spenders in the world, holding the top spot with £529 per capita spend on travel and holidays alone.

The travel and tourism trends of 2007 indicate a strong and constant increase in premium leisure services. The luxury lifestyle on offer at Spas and Resorts combined with the consumer pursuit of relaxation and wellbeing has created in the past few years one of the most powerful trends in the UK outbound and domestic travel and tourism industry.

New direction for 2009

Besides marketing directly to the affluent UK buyer, the exhibitors at The International Spa Show 2009 will have the opportunity to participate in a specialised Spa and resorts travel trade industry program, discussing issues from future trends to profitably marketing the product, from hot destinations to new ideas and products.

Expomedia brings top industry specialist to lead the event in 2009

“Luxury lifestyle has always been a force to be recon with when it comes to consumer trends in travel and tourism.” comments Stanislava Duschell, Director of Travel and Tourism Events, Expomedia Events Ltd. – “The affluent UK buyer is actively changing our views on the latest fashionable spots to indulge your senses at. The Spa experience is so much in trend that a new lifestyle has been born – “Living at the Spa…Literally”, as recently described by Spafinder – the Global Spa Resource. The Spa Show - London is the perfect platform for industry professionals, representatives of tourist boards, tour operators, travel agents and media alike, to discuss the latest in spa and resort tourism. Supported by Britain’s most respected media groups and partnering with the best industry publications, International Spa Show – London reaches audience of over 13 million consumers annually. It is the place where companies significantly increase brand visibility and turn passive clients into committed followers and impulse buyers.”

Mark Shashoua, CEO of Expomedia Group Plc, notes “On behalf of Expomedia Group Plc, I would like to congratulate Mrs. Duschell with her new role. Slava’s in depth knowledge of travel and tourism and over 20 years experience in developing some of the industry’s largest events will be supported by Expomedia’s strong media partnerships in UK and Europe to see the travel portfolio grow with the existing events as well as new launches in other hot tourism markets, such as Germany.”