(TAN): The U.S. Travel Association has postponed its annual inbound travel trade show, IPW, to May 2021 owing to the coronavirus pandemic.
This year’s edition, which was supposed to be held in Las Vegas, in Nevada state, on May 30, will be organised in the same city between May 10 and 41 next year.
The international show, which gives a boost worth USD 5.5 billion in future travel to the United States, provides a platform for travel buyers such as tour operators, wholesalers and receptive operators to meet sellers of American travel product including lodging, destinations, attractions, retail, and transportation.
U.S. Travel Association President and Chief Executive Officer Roger Dow said although cancelling the 2020 edition of the trade show was “difficult” decision, it was an important step considering the circumstances.
“This is incredibly welcome good news amid the serious challenges facing the travel industry, the country and the world. Cancelling this year’s IPW was a difficult though clearly necessary call, and our future host cities came together to achieve a win-win outcome for the future of the event,” he said.
Illinois’ capital Chicago, which was earlier scheduled to host IPW 2021, has been rescheduled as the host city for the event in 2025. Meanwhile, other upcoming host cities – Orlando, Florida in 2022, San Antonio, Texas in 2023, and Los Angeles, California in 2024, remain unaffected.
[ALSO READ: Hilton ready to welcome guests during May Holiday in China]
“As we look to recover from this health emergency and the resulting economic crisis, it is fitting that we will be able to hold IPW in Las Vegas, a city that epitomizes the economic power of travel and tourism. We are deeply grateful to Chicago, which had one of the most successful IPWs in recent memory as a first-time host in 2014, for their flexibility, generosity and collaborative spirit,” Dow added.
David Whitaker, President and Chief Executive Officer of Choose Chicago, the official destination marketing organisation for Chicago welcomed the change.
“This important decision was a collaboration between U.S. Travel and Choose Chicago. Having the privilege of hosting IPW in June of 2025 in Chicago will be a tremendous opportunity for us and our partners. Equally important, we look forward to traveling to Las Vegas next year to continue our partnership and engagement with the global travel community,” he said.
A report from the U.S. Travel Association recently showed that the outbreak has had a devastating impact on the country’s tourism industry. Data from the study indicated the financial effect the American travel sector is currently facing because of the pandemic is nine times worse than the 9/11 attacks – the industry has lost a third of all the jobs in the United States.
Related posts:
US travel industry estimates 5.9 million job losses by April-end
Airbnb takes its travel experiences online in times of COVID-19
Marriott estimates 23% dip in first quarter revenue per room, with about a quarter of its hotels closed due to COVID-19
Arizona, US launches new campaign to help residents explore the state during COVID-19
