Connections Luxury Europe closes on a high to continue partnership with the Catalan Tourist Board

Travel industry events specialist Connections Luxury has confirmed its continued partnership with the Catalan Tourist Board for a third year following the success of Connections Luxury Europe 2024.

Held on 21-24 April in Costa Brava, the event facilitated over 2,100 meetings for more than 200 leading luxury travel brands, agencies and suppliers selected from the Connections Luxury Community, worth £4.25 billion.

The event welcomed attendees from across Europe, North America and beyond with an evening reception at Spain’s top golf resort, Camiral Golf & Wellness, before two days of one-to-one appointments at Castell de Peralada, with a twist. Utilising the unique ‘Connections Way’ format to build stronger business relationships and immerse attendees in Catalan culture, meetings included experiences ranging from tasting local cuisines and wines, and guided tours through the castle’s rich history, to painting caganer figurines and learning regional dance ball de bastons.

Other highlights included a networking dinner at the Roca brothers’ Mas Marroch restaurant, where Josep Roca made a guest appearance to welcome attendees before they enjoyed some of the brothers’ most iconic dishes. The event’s closing party was held at the historic Hostal de la Gavina, where the tenth anniversary of the first Connections Luxury was marked.

Following Connections Luxury Europe’s main event, a select number of buyers were invited to join one of four exclusive FAM trips, arranged by the Catalan Tourist Board, to experience luxury hotels, local vineyards, experiences and attractions across Costa Brava and Barcelona with the aim of increasing premium tourism to the region.

Claudia Rier, founder of Claudia from the Dolomites, said: “This was my second Connections event and it was amazing. I had very good appointments and the matching was great. I like the combination of experiences and meeting at the table. You have enough time - 30 minutes is amazing. I will come back.”

Patricia Diaz Mengotti, CEO of Lagom Travel SL, booked to attend Connections Luxury Seoul this June after experiencing the Europe edition. She said: “What I have found different from other travel fairs is the capacity to make connections further than just showing a presentation of the hotel or how the DMC works, through the shared experiences. It’s a good approach, as you have a short 15-minute experience and it feels like you’ve met for a long time.”

Narcís Ferrer, director of the Catalan Tourist Board, added: “Without a doubt, Connections Luxury Europe is an opportunity for us to position premium travel as a key driver for tourism in Catalonia. It has been a real pleasure to host the event in the diverse and rich territory of Costa Brava, and we want to continue showing what Catalonia can offer across our culture, our gastronomy and our landscapes. I look forward to our continued partnership with Connections Luxury in 2025.”

Greg Reeves, managing director of Connections Luxury, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with our partnership with the Catalan Tourist Board, the Board of Tourism Costa Brava Girona and the Barcelona Tourism Board. Catalonia harnesses the true essence of luxury, which is deeply rooted in experience, culture and incredible topography, allowing travellers to experience magnificent vineyards, beautiful beaches and coves, spectacular hiking and skiing. It’s truly a region that has it all. We’re incredibly proud of our partnership and shared values and look forward to continuing events in Catalonia long into the future.”

Duncan Horton, Group CEO, of Connections Luxury parent company Jacobs Media, added: “I am so proud of the impact Connections has had on the luxury travel sector over the last decade, pioneering the Connections Way, a new and unique method of facilitating long-lasting business partnerships through shared experiences. We look forward to further expanding our community of luxury travel professionals around the world, with plans to launch in new regions and destinations, and drive collaboration and advancements in the premium travel industry globally.”

 The next edition of Connections Luxury Europe will return to Catalonia on 6-9 April 2025. The industry is welcome to apply to take part in this flagship event as Connections enters a new decade.