WYSE Travel doubles budget for 2023 Hosted Buyer Program

May 9, 2023

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In a move aimed at supporting the travel industry’s recovery efforts following the COVID-19 pandemic, the WYSE Travel Confederation has doubled the budget for the hosted buyer programme of its flagship event, the World Youth and Student Travel Conference (WYSTC), which will take place in Lisbon, Portugal from September 12-15, 2023.

As the global not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting and developing opportunities for the youth, student, and educational travel industry, WYSE Travel Confederation has been instrumental in bringing together over 600 international sellers, buyers, and service providers operating within this industry for the past 32 years.

The past two years have been challenging for the global travel and tourism industry, with constantly changing travel restrictions, border closures, and visa backlogs significantly impacting youth and student mobility. As such, WYSE Travel Confederation is doubling its efforts to support the attendance of new buyers looking to build new connections and establish themselves within the industry.

The expanded budget allocated to the hosted buyer programme will allow suppliers to partner with new buyers. Over three days, WYSTC delegates can schedule up to 48 one-to-one business appointments with C-suite executives, engage in an educational program of keynotes, seminars, and workshops led by more than 30 top speakers, and attend multiple networking and social events.

According to David Chapman, Director General of WYSE Travel Confederation, “the hosted buyer programme is an integral part of WYSTC. Although we are seeing clear signs of recovery in the travel and tourism industry, the hangover of the pandemic still lingers. By doubling the budget of the 2023 hosted buyer programme, we are able to offer opportunities to new buyers entering the market, startups or underrepresented small businesses that need a global platform to establish and nurture partnerships.”

The WYSTC is an opportunity for youth, students, and educational travel industry businesses to network, learn, and create new business opportunities. The conference provides a platform for exchanging ideas, information, and best practices for businesses of all sizes.

To apply to be a buyer at WYSTC, interested parties can complete the form on their website. For all other enquiries regarding WYSTC, contact events@wysetc.org.

Overall, the WYSE Travel Confederation’s efforts to double the budget for the hosted buyer programme at the 2023 World Youth and Student Travel Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, will support the industry’s recovery efforts and provide opportunities for new businesses to establish themselves within the industry.