ABTA is delighted to announce that the Imperial City of Seville will be the destination for the 2018 Travel Convention.  The Convention will take place from 8 to 10 October 2018 at the five star Barceló Sevilla Renacimiento hotel, well-known in the city for its modern architecture and design that evoke the Guggenheim Museum in New York. The hotel is located on the banks of the Guadalquivir River and just a few minutes from all the historic sights of interest. Andalusia - Turismo Andaluz; Spanish Tourist Office/Turespaña; Seville Provincial Tourism Board and Seville City Hall will be the host partners for the Convention.

The announcement was made today in Ponta Delgada in the Azores at the end of a highly successful 2017 Travel Convention.

Rich in history and renowned for its flamenco, tapas bars and orange trees, Seville is the capital and largest city of Andalusia. The climate in October is exceptional with temperatures in the late twenties and virtually guaranteed sunshine. Highlights include the breathtaking Unesco-listed Alcázar palace, the spectacular cathedral with its Moorish bell tower, La Giralda, and the lively Triana and Alameda districts.

Delegates will be able to travel directly to Seville from London on services operated by British Airways, Easyjet and Ryanair.

While ABTA delegates will enjoy exclusive use of the Barcelo Sevilla Renacimiento, additional accommodation will be available at the nearby Eurostars Torre Sevilla. This brand new five star hotel, which opened last month (September 2017), occupies the top 13 floors of the Torre Sevilla and is the highest building in Andalusia. The hotel design pays tribute to the main symbols of the city and of local culture, and will offer delegates panoramic views of the city. 

Noel Josephides, ABTA Chairman, said: "I am delighted that the wonderful city of Seville has kindly offered to host the 2018 Travel Convention. There is no doubt that Seville, and the whole region of Andalusia, will continue to grow in popularity. With its combination of old-world glamour and sophistication, incredible history and contemporary art, music, food and fashion, the city and its surroundings offer all that today’s tourists are seeking, and the Convention will provide a great opportunity to remind travel professionals of all that Seville has to offer. I know that delegates will be very warmly welcomed by the local Sevillanos and all the Andalusian people.”

The Minister for Tourism and Sport of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Francisco Javier Fernández, said: "We have been privileged to have had the opportunity to work with ABTA in the past, and we are delighted to continue our partnership. The Travel Convention 2018 in Seville will be an excellent moment to showcase to all delegates attending, the magnificent destination we represent. All tourism bodies from Spain, Andalusia and Seville, will put together the best we can offer the British travel industry.

Seville, Andalusia's capital city, has beautiful quarters, major ancient Christian and Moorish monuments as well as modern infrastructure. The Travel Convention will be a great opportunity for everyone, not least because it will be one of the most important travel professional events of the year, bringing together over 500 representatives of the UK travel & tourism industry to meet in Southern Spain’s largest city.”

Javier Piñanes, Director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London, said: “Turespaña and the Spanish Tourist Office are delighted, as on many previous occasions, to welcome ABTA delegates back to Spain and especially to Seville in October 2018.

There is no doubt that you will receive a warm and special welcome from the tourism professionals of Seville and its citizens.  The region of Andalusia, and the beautiful Imperial City of Seville are both unique places in Spain and you are guaranteed to be impressed by their beauty, splendour and permanent happy atmosphere.  Enjoy Seville: The Most Passionate and Romantic City in the World.”

11 October 2017