As the LRE Foundation continues its mission to expand the Liberation Route Europe project, our team recently took part in several major European networking events, strengthening connections with the Travel Trade industry and promoting our LRE hiking and cycling trails.
CycleSummit – Bern, Switzerland
From 12 to 15 October, Project Officer Emme Johnson attended the CycleSummit in Bern, Switzerland. The largest European trade show for bicycle touring, over 100 organisations attended this year’s summit. The event offered a prime opportunity to showcase LRE’s hiking and cycling trails to tour operators from throughout Europe and beyond who specialise in bicycle tourism. Emme’s participation helped increase awareness of the Liberation Route Europe trails among key players in the sector, to encourage the inclusion of our many sites, stories and routes into cycling and hiking tourism itineraries across Europe.
Global European Marketplace – London, UK
On 31 October and 1 November, Project Officer Emme Johnson and Press and Communication Advisor Gert-Jan Jacobs represented the LRE Foundation at the Global European Marketplace in London, the premier annual travel trade event of the European Tourism Association (ETOA). This dynamic gathering brought together over 800 industry professionals for a day and a half filled with networking and insights into the latest tourism trends. Emme and Gert-Jan connected with more than 20 international tour operators, spotlighting the Liberation Route Europe project and its unique historical and touristic significance. Their efforts helped open doors for potential partnerships that aim to inspire global audiences to explore the powerful stories and sites along the route.
Interreg NWE Annual Event – Dublin, Ireland
On 5 and 6 November, LRE Foundation Managing Director Rémi Praud and Project Officer Emme Johnson attended the Interreg North-West Europe (NWE) Annual Event in Dublin. As beneficiaries of the Interreg NWE EU funding programme, LRE Foundation was among a diverse group of project applicants, EU representatives, and decision-makers. The event was an invaluable opportunity to showcase both the ongoing REFOOT project and the Liberation Route Europe Trails, while networking with potential collaborators to support our efforts in making WWII history accessible through sustainable tourism.
Looking forward to 2025, the LRE Foundation is preparing for the LREXPO at the upcoming LRE Forum, scheduled for 10 to 13 March 2025, in Krakow, Poland. This event will provide a valuable platform for our members and partners to connect with representatives from the travel trade industry, including European and North American tour operators, through dedicated networking sessions and FAM trips. We’re excited to strengthen these relationships and expand the reach of the Liberation Route Europe project. More details about the Forum will be shared in the coming weeks.
For more information about the Forum, click here.
