THE Big Travel Trade Event 2026 took place on the 9th & 10th June at the Crowne Plaza, Belfast. Hosted by NI Travel News, the event saw over 500 Travel Agents and Travel Trade Suppliers made their way to the venue for two back-to-back days of networking, relationship building and fun! With a packed schedule, agents were invited and hosted by suppliers in sponsored breakfasts, lunches, dinners and so much more!
Morning coffee kickstarted the two-day event with PortAventura World. Zoe Holt, Sales manager UK and Ireland for PortAventura World, showcased its fantastic theme park and different opportunities you have while staying in Salou or nearby the park! Agents enjoyed Spanish omelettes, pastries and cold cuts before 20 suppliers welcomed agents to speed networking. Agents were presented with new updates, products and services, along with having that one-on-one time for a deeper insight with suppliers. The Big Summer Lunch then greeted location hosts Crowne Plaza who provided an insight into Andras House and IHG, highlighting its many properties across Northern Ireland. Four lucky attendees won prizes courtesy of Crowne Plaza.
54 Suppliers from a range of hoteliers, airlines, destinations, attractions, cruise lines & airports manned stands in the newly rebranded Twilight Marketplace. Ground Coffee returned once again alongside Titanic Distillers, TUI, charity partner Lighthouse, & Bookit by NITN in the Big Event Village to welcome agents, whilst Newmarket Holidays welcomed visitors at the registration desk. Gran Canaria once again hosted its meeting hub in the centre of the room with mini golf and refreshments to enjoy.
Competing in the annual stand competition, suppliers put their skills to the test to showcase their quirky stands. easyJet Holidays came out on top with its video game attracting large crowds within the marketplace across both days.
For the first time, Jet2holidays took charge of night one with its DJ Dance Off; fun, loud and all-round entertaining! With a busy drinks reception and some questionable DJ’ing skills, the Jet2holidays team took to the decks. Mr Worldwide even called in a few weeks early form his Belsonic gig to give agents a show – of course, he even won the dance off!
Then it was time to ‘roll up! roll up!’ for day two; Together with Travel Solutions, Oceania brightened everyone’s mornings with a hosted agent breakfast. Equipped with sausage rolls, potato cakes and fry favourites, Julie and Adam of Travel solutions, alongside Kal Sindhu, Business Development Manager North UK, NI & Scotland showcased the amazing suites, packages and dining on board the Oceania fleet at its Ship to Shore morning event. Some on-site reporting from Robert and a front cover photo opportunity for guests made for the perfect start to day two. It was then back for day two of the Suppliers Marketplace before agents joined in the buzz at Attraction World’s Bonkers Bingo. Kelly Hayre, Retail Director, and Nicky Yates, National Retail Engagement Manager, of Attraction World, along with DJ Nathan Turner, brought the energy and fun to this interactive bingo set whilst agent tucked into fantastic greek gyros!
The 34th NI Travel & Tourism Awards was launched on 10th June with details on the awards ceremony, host & sponsors, along with exciting changes to award categories. Jonathan Adair was joined by the Awards sponsors and invited guests. You can read the press release outlining all new awards and criteria, then have your say by voting today HERE.
The Big Event 2026 wrapped up with The Spanish Tourist Board, along with partners Salou, PortAventura and La Siesta, who hosted the first ever ‘Sunsets and Cava’ where guests were transported to the streets of Spain! Guests entered through the Hype and Holiday Rep team to the venue and enjoyed a bottle of beer and mellow tunes on the guitar before entering the Spanish streets. Guests enjoyed a pre-show meal with Nathan Turner, followed by a Spanish-inspired three-course meal, before Fusion hit the stage and entertained the crowd with top hits! A huge congratulations to Damian Murphy, Terra Travel, who won two flight seats to Spain on the night! DJ Nathan then performed until the early hours as guests danced the night away.
The event allowed opportunities for developing new relationships, strengthening existing relationships and networking for both Suppliers & Travel Agents. We look forward to welcoming all Suppliers & Agents back to The Big Travel Trade Event in 2027!
PLUS the winners of the Jet2holidays flights and £2,000 cash and NI Travel News’ £2,000 cash prize will be revealed soon – keep your eyes peeled on our social media @nitraveltradeandevents
BTTE GALLERY CAN BE VIEWED HERE
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Trade Twitter – @nitraveltrade