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Which tourism fair should I attend first?
First-time fair-goers: small agencies, hoteliers, guides, app builders, students.
If you have never attended a tourism fair, do not start with the biggest. Pick one that matches your immediate goal and your geography. The best 'first fair' is the one closest to your main market — you will learn the format, build confidence, and avoid wasting money on intercontinental travel.
Practical steps
- 1Define your single biggest goal: clients, partners, learning, investors, or visibility.
- 2Pick the closest fair where that goal is achievable (e.g., MOTTEX for Morocco-based, FITUR for Spain-based, IFTM for France-based, WTM for UK-based).
- 3Buy a visitor (not exhibitor) ticket the first time — much cheaper, almost as useful.
- 4Plan 2 days minimum — day 1 to learn the layout, day 2 to do real work.
- 5Set 3 measurable outcomes: e.g., 10 contacts, 2 follow-up meetings booked, 1 partnership lead.
Checklist
- Visitor pass booked
- Hotel within 30 minutes of venue
- 30-second pitch rehearsed in 2 languages
- 100 business cards printed + digital QR
- Notebook + 2 pens
- Power bank (full)
- Comfortable shoes
- LinkedIn updated in the morning