The 2nd annual Luxperience, which will take place in Sydney 1-4 September, has sold out. The space sold is up by over 50% on the inaugural Luxperience, which took place last September. Luxperience has grown rapidly by adding more international products and buyers to the B2B luxury travel business exchange which features high-end travel products. Luxperience highlights the growth of the Australasia Pacific region in the experiential travel market.

Up to 26,000 buyer-seller meetings will take place during the event. To cope with demand, Luxperience has added more premium space for exhibitors at the entrance to the venue, the Overseas Passenger Terminal on Sydney Harbour.

“Over 160 exhibitors have registered so far,” said Lindy Andrews, Director of Sales & Partner Alliances at Luxperience. “We’re at capacity. Our emphasis is now on maximizing the business opportunities of the B2B interactions on site.”

Luxperience organisers said the sharp spike in support was due to the event’s increased global reach with additional intimate Luxperience pop up events being planned around the world in the first half of 2014. Quality buyers from North and South America, Asia, Middle East and Europe have been added to this year’s event. New direct air links with South America have attracted buyers and sellers that weren’t present last year. An added focus on MICE and incentive travel has also boosted exhibitor demand.

Buyer Melissa Smith from Spencer Travel in Sydney, who also participated in the first Luxperience, said: “It’s good to see many more exhibitors joining Luxperience this year, especially those offering offshore products.”

Increased global reach has attracted high profile partners. For example, Tourism Australia watched the first Luxperience from the sidelines last year. This year it is an official supporter along with Virgin Australia, The Star, City of Sydney, Team Event, Restaurant Associates, Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand.

Apart from a diverse range of products from Australia, Asia, New Zealand and the Pacific, buyers will also meet with suppliers from emerging destinations such as Bhutan, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Patagonia, Chile and the Philippines. Expedition cruising in Australasia and South America will be a notable addition this year.

Global buyer Cathy Holler, who is Vice President, Business Development and Product Innovation for TRAVCOA, said: “I really like the format of the show, the agenda and location of the venue. I feel that Luxperience does an excellent job vetting the suppliers that participate to make sure they are working in the luxury space. The meetings I had were productive ones with suppliers that I know that I can work with.”