Original article by Theodore Koumelis for Travel Daily News
The International Inbound Travel Association (IITA) Board of Directors selected Birmingham to host its 2027 Summit, February 7-10. Birmingham was one of five destinations bidding on the Summit.
Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau, the official Destination Marketing Organization representing the many attractions and hotels, is an active member of IITA and submitted the winning bid in collaboration with the Hyatt Regency Birmingham – The Wynfrey Hotel. Bids are evaluated based on a number of variables, including level of city/state support, destination location and appeal, meeting space and hotel rates.
The IITA Summit brings hundreds of travel organizations together to do business and put together USA itineraries and travel services for international travelers visiting the U.S. from around the world.
“We are thrilled to bring our group to Birmingham in 2027 for our members – the leading U.S. inbound tour operators – to experience the area from the many museums to the area’s rich history in the steel industry and civil rights heritage,” said Lisa Simon, CEO/Executive Director, IITA. “Add in the myriad of culinary options, Birmingham is a major attraction for international visitors and these travel producers will get to experience it first-hand.”
While international visitation to the USA continues to recover from the pandemic, historically it has generated more than $235 billion in travel exports from nearly 80 million visitors. International inbound travel is crucial for the U.S. economy, and a sizable portion of that economic impact is a direct result of inbound tour operators selling U.S. travel products and services to a vast network of international tour operators and other travel producers.
“We are honored and excited to host this distinguished group of travel professionals from around the world,” said Sara Hamlin, Vice President of Tourism for the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau. “This is an incredible opportunity to showcase Birmingham’s rich history, vibrant culture, and classic Southern hospitality. Welcoming these industry leaders from around the world not only underscores our reputation as a premier destination, but will deliver long-term economic and cultural impact to our community. We can’t wait to deliver an unforgettable experience that highlights everything that makes Birmingham truly special.”
In addition to its annual Summit, IITA delivers education and training designed to help the industry grow international travel. As part of hosting the Summit, Birmingham will bring IITA’s Inbound Insider Steps to Success travel trade training program to the area prior to the Summit in 2027 to help prepare the local travel suppliers for working with international markets. Birmingham first provided the training to local tourism suppliers in 2022 as part of Alabama Tourism Department’s statewide program.
“Our friends at the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau have demonstrated their commitment to rebuilding international visitation and will have the advantage of preparedness as a result of the training,” Simon said. “Then, they’ll bring it full circle by bringing the international inbound travel producers to experience the destination first-hand.”
