It has been a busy and productive start to the year for Visit Devon, with the team attending key national and international events to promote the county, strengthen partnerships and create new opportunities for the tourism sector.

Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2026

Visit Devon was proud to exhibit at the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show at the NEC Birmingham from 17 to 22 February 2026. The event welcomed an impressive 100,072 visitors over six days and proved to be our busiest show to date.

The Visit Devon stand was a hive of activity throughout the event, with our team engaging with a constant stream of visitors keen to learn more about holidays in Devon. Working in partnership with Devon’s Top Attractions and a fantastic group of tourism businesses, the stand showcased the breadth of experiences available across the county.

Interest in Devon was stronger than ever, with visitors drawn to everything from our dramatic coastline and beautiful countryside to our attractions, accommodation and outdoor activities. The show also highlighted Devon’s growing appeal within the caravanning and motorhome market across all ages and abilities.

Most importantly, the event demonstrated the real strength of partnership working. By coming together to represent Devon as a unified destination, we were able to amplify our impact and inspire thousands of potential visitors to consider the county for their next trip.

Britain & Ireland Marketplace (BIM)

Visit Devon also attended ETOA’s Britain & Ireland Marketplace (BIM) at the InterContinental London – The O2, marking our first return to the event since the pandemic. Working alongside VisitBritain and UKinbound, the event provided a valuable opportunity to promote Devon to international travel trade buyers.

Across the event, the team completed a full diary of 36 scheduled appointments, along with an additional eight meetings during networking sessions, bringing the total number of buyer interactions to 44. These meetings connected Visit Devon with international tour operators and product developers who are actively building itineraries for visitors travelling to the UK.

Buyers showed strong interest in Devon’s coastal and countryside experiences, including outdoor activities such as surfing, paddleboarding, sailing, cycling and hiking. There was also significant interest in heritage destinations such as Exeter, as well as Devon’s food and drink experiences, local produce and wellness-focused travel.

Devon’s accessibility was another key discussion point, with buyers particularly interested in destinations that are easy to reach from London. With rail connections taking just over two hours, Devon continues to position itself as an attractive addition to international itineraries exploring South West England.

Building International Connections

Following the event, Visit Devon hosted nine Dutch buyers on a familiarisation visit to the county, focusing on Exeter and the surrounding area. The visit concluded with a hosted dinner at the Courtyard by Marriott at Sandy Park, where industry partners joined to further strengthen relationships and showcase Devon’s hospitality.

The marketplace provided an important platform for maintaining visibility with key international tour operators, developing new trade relationships and generating tangible follow-up activity.

Looking Ahead

From engaging directly with holidaymakers at major consumer shows to strengthening global travel trade connections, these recent events demonstrate Visit Devon’s continued commitment to promoting the county and supporting the tourism industry.

As we move towards the main visitor season, we will continue following up with buyers, developing tailored itineraries and working closely with partners across the sector to ensure Devon remains firmly on the map for both domestic and international visitors.