Tradefairs

What Tradefairs does

Tradefairs is a Belgian-headquartered travel agency that specializes in organizing all-inclusive charter flight and multi-day packages for business travelers attending international trade fairs. Founded in approximately 1985 (with predecessor brands Galatours and BBL Travel's International Trade Fairs department), the company is currently a subsidiary of The Aviation Factory (acquired 2018) and was rebranded to the unified Tradefairs identity in 2020. It is privately held, registered in Belgium (VAT BE0472.510.556), and operates from its headquarters in Deurne near Antwerp, with departures from four airports: Antwerp, Brussels, Rotterdam/The Hague, and Amsterdam Schiphol, covering both the Belgian and Dutch markets.

The core product is single-day direct charter flights to major European trade fairs such as BAU München, BrauBeviale Nürnberg, Chillventa Nürnberg, EuroBLECH Hannover, and Fensterbau Frontale, with prices typically ranging from €450 to €595 per person. Packages include round-trip charter flights, bus transfers between airport and fair venue, in-flight catering, travel accompaniment, airport taxes, CO2 compensation via the Trees for All partnership (€3–5 per person), and a 2.73% VAT, with optional add-ons for entry tickets, parking, and multi-day hotel stays for select fairs (Salone del Mobile Milan, Bauma Munich). Tradefairs has no proprietary technology platform; it relies on its own website (tradefairs.travel, available in Dutch and French), a mailing list distributed ~3 months before each fair via direct mail and email, and partnerships with ~25+ industry associations, bilateral chambers of commerce, and trade media across the Benelux to source bookings.

The business model is transactional: revenue is generated per booking, with each package priced per person plus a €7.50 reservation fee, and the company assumes the risk of minimum-participant thresholds for charter operations. Target customers are busy business professionals—entrepreneurs, owners, purchasers, and PR/communications staff—who need efficient, time-saving access to high-value international trade fairs, alongside industry-specific vertical segments (construction, metalworking, food and beverage, HVAC, textiles, furniture, offshore energy, agriculture). The company employs 51–100 staff and does not disclose revenue or funding data.

Name

Tradefairs

Legal name

Tradefairs

Website

https://tradefairs.travel

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Tradefairs is a Belgian travel agency that organizes all-inclusive single-day charter flights and multi-day packages from Belgium and the Netherlands to major European trade fairs for busy business professionals and sector-specific industry verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Fair Travel Services

NAICS

Travel Agencies (56151), Travel Agencies (561510), Tour Operators (561520)

akta.pro primary industry

Package Tour Wholesalers (Pre-Packaged FIT/Group Programs) (THAKAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Group Air, Ticketing & Travel Operations (Manifests, Rebooking, 24/7 Support) (THAHANAF), Wholesale Groups, Series & Allotments (Group Blocks/Charters/Allotment Contracting) (THAKAJAH)

Keywords

• Trade fair travel
• Charter flight packages
• Exhibition trip packages
• Group business travel
• Trade fair logistics

Headquarters

HQ city

Deurne

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Trade Fair Travel Packages: Tradefairs generates revenue by selling complete travel packages to international trade fairs. Packages include charter flights, bus transfers, travel accompaniment, airport taxes, CO2 compensation contributions (Trees for All), VAT, and optionally entry tickets, hotel stays, and parking. Each package is priced per person (e.g., €575–€595 for same-day trips). Revenue is transactional per booking, not subscription-based. The company also charges €7.50 reservation fees per booking.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Tradefairs organizes all-inclusive charter flight and multi-day travel packages to international trade fairs (BAU, EuroBLECH, BrauBeviale, CHILLVENTA, Fensterbau Frontale, Salone del Mobile, Bauma, etc.) departing from Antwerp, Brussels, Rotterdam, and Amsterdam. Each package bundles round-trip flights, bus transfers between the airport and fair, in-flight catering, travel accompaniment, airport taxes, and a CO2 compensation contribution via Trees for All, with optional add-ons such as hotel stays, parking, and entry tickets. Revenue is earned per booking on a per-person transactional basis (typical packages €450–€595 plus a €7.50 reservation fee).

Product overview

Tradefairs offers a portfolio of trade fair travel packages organized around two core product lines: single-day charter flights (their signature offering) to top European trade fairs departing from Brussels, and multi-day packages with hotel accommodations for select fairs. The single-day charter product includes round-trip flights, bus transfers, in-flight catering, travel accompaniment, airport taxes, and optional CO2 compensation via Trees for All. The multi-day packages extend this service with hotel overnight stays for fairs like Salone del Mobile (Milan) and Bauma (Munich). Supported trade fairs include Chillventa, EuroBLECH, BrauBeviale, BAU, Fensterbau Frontale, BioFACH, Cosmoprof, FruitLogistica, Hannover Messe, LIGNA, Cersaie, and IFA, among others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1-Day Charter Flights Single-day direct charter flights from Brussels and Rotterdam to international trade fairs, with departure times optimized to fair opening hours so travelers can spend a full day on-site and return the same evening. Each booking includes round-trip charter flight, bus transfers between the airport and the fair, in-flight catering (sandwich, coffee/tea/soft drinks), travel accompaniment, airport taxes, and a Trees for All CO2 compensation contribution. Priced per person at approximately €575–€595 for standard trips, plus a €7.50 reservation fee per booking.
• Multi-Day Trade Fair Packages Multi-day travel packages with hotel overnight stays to selected international trade fairs such as Salone del Mobile in Milan and Bauma in Munich. Extends the core 1-day charter product with hotel accommodation for travelers who need more time at the fair or in the destination city.
• CHILLVENTA Trade Fair Trip Single-day charter flight to CHILLVENTA 2026 in Nürnberg, focused on the refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, and heat pumps industry. The package includes a free entrance ticket to the fair and is priced at €575 per person plus €7.50 reservation fee, with all logistics (charter flight, bus transfers, in-flight catering, Trees for All CO2 contribution) bundled in.
• EuroBLECH Trade Fair Trip Single-day charter flight to EuroBLECH 2026 in Hannover, the leading international trade fair for sheet metal working and welding technology. The package bundles round-trip charter from Brussels, bus transfers, catering, and Trees for All CO2 contribution for metalworking professionals attending the fair on October 22, 2026.
• BrauBeviale Trade Fair Trip Single-day charter flight to BrauBeviale 2026 in Nürnberg, focused on the beverage production and marketing industry. Priced at €595 per person plus €7.50 reservation fee, the package includes round-trip charter from Brussels, bus transfers, catering, and Trees for All CO2 contribution, with an optional entry ticket (€42).
• BAU Trade Fair Trip Single-day charter flight to BAU 2027 in München, the leading trade fair for architecture, materials, and systems. Priced at €585 per person plus €7.50 reservation fee, the package includes round-trip charter from Brussels, bus transfers, catering, and Trees for All CO2 contribution (€3 pp), targeting construction and architecture professionals.
• Fensterbau Frontale + Holz-Handwerk Trade Fair Trip Single-day charter flight to Fensterbau Frontale + Holz-Handwerk 2026 in Nürnberg, focused on windows, doors, facades, and woodworking. Available at a last-minute price of €450 per person plus €7.50 reservation fee (separate entry ticket €50), with all logistics bundled.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

37 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Aviation FactorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Aviation Factory, located in Deurne (Antwerp), acquired Tradefairs (then operating as TradeFairs.be and TradeFairs.nl) in 2018 and rebranded the company to Tradefairs in 2020. The Aviation Factory also serves as the bank account holder (IBAN: BE14 0013 2942 2483) for Tradefairs, indicating a parent-subsidiary relationship.
• TUI BelgiumcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTUI Belgium provides charter flight services for Tradefairs' day trips to international trade fairs. As one of the primary airline partners for charter operations, TUI Belgium enables the core service offering.
• TransaviacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTransavia provides charter flight services for Tradefairs' day trips. One of the key airline partners used for organizing charter flights to trade fairs.
• Brussels AirlinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrussels Airlines provides regular line flights for Tradefairs' multi-day travel packages. Serves as an airline partner for standard (non-charter) flights.
• KLMminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKLM provides regular line flights for Tradefairs' multi-day travel packages.
• AlitaliaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlitalia provides regular line flights for Tradefairs' multi-day travel packages.
• easyJetminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEasyJet provides regular line flights for Tradefairs' multi-day travel packages.
• Vizion airminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVizion air is listed as an airline partner for charter flights, described as a 'boutique airline for tailor made flying'.
• Brussels AirportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrussels Airport is the primary departure point for Tradefairs' regular and charter flights to international trade fairs. Both line flights and day charter flights depart from Brussels Airport.
• Rotterdam The Hague AirportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRotterdam The Hague Airport serves as a departure and arrival point for Tradefairs' day charter flights.
• Antwerp AirportcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAntwerp Airport serves as a departure point for Tradefairs' charter flights, and is the nearest airport to Tradefairs' headquarters.
• Amsterdam Airport SchipholcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmsterdam Airport Schiphol serves as a departure and arrival point for Tradefairs' regular line flights for multi-day travel packages.
• Trees for AllcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTradefairs is a recognized partner of Trees for All, a Dutch/Belgian CO2 compensation organization. Tradefairs includes a Trees for All contribution (€3–€5 per person) in all travel packages, compensating for CO2 emissions generated by charter flights. This is marketed as a sustainability differentiator and positive climate contribution.
• Global FairscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal Fairs is the official Benelux representative of Deutsche Messe AG (organizer of Hannover fairs) and Nuremberg fairs. Tradefairs collaborates with Global Fairs for fair information and customer inquiries regarding Hannover and Nuremberg trade fairs.
• Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerFIT supports Belgian exporters in selecting export markets, providing advice, subsidies, and organizing tailored business travel and appointment programs. Their partnership with Tradefairs helps direct Belgian business travelers to relevant international trade fairs.
• AgoriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgoria is the Belgian federation of the technological industry. Their partnership helps reach manufacturing and technology professionals who attend relevant international trade fairs.
• beech business promotionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBeech business promotion is the official representative of Nürnberg Messe (Nuremberg fairs) in the Netherlands. Their partnership helps promote Nuremberg-based fairs (e.g., Chillventa, BrauBeviale, BIOFACH) to Dutch business travelers.
• FMEminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFME is the entrepreneurs' organization for the technological industry in the Netherlands. Their partnership helps reach Dutch manufacturing and technology professionals.
• MetaalunieminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMetaalunie is the trade organization for small and medium-sized metalworking enterprises in the Netherlands. Their partnership supports outreach to metalworking professionals attending EuroBLECH and similar fairs.
• Confederatie BouwminorGTM or Marketing PartnerConfederatie Bouw is the Belgian construction, energy, and environment federation. Their partnership helps reach Belgian construction professionals attending fairs like BAU and Fensterbau Frontale.
• FedustriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFedustria is the Belgian federation of the textile, wood, and furniture industry. Their partnership supports outreach to Belgian furniture and textile professionals attending Salone del Mobile, Cersaie, and similar fairs.
• UnitexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnitex is the Belgian association of (technical) managers in the textile industry in Belgium and other countries.
• IROminorGTM or Marketing PartnerIRO is the industry association for Dutch suppliers to the offshore energy industry. Their partnership supports outreach to offshore energy professionals attending SPE Offshore Europe Aberdeen and ONS Stavanger.
• NAVINGOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNAVINGO provides sustainable media solutions connecting the maritime and offshore world. Their partnership supports outreach to maritime/offshore professionals attending relevant trade fairs.
• Ocean Energy ResourcesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOcean Energy Resources serves the oil, gas, and renewable energy communities. Their partnership supports outreach to energy sector professionals attending offshore and energy trade fairs.
• BioForum VlaanderenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBioForum Vlaanderen is the sector organization for organic agriculture and food in Belgium. Their partnership supports outreach to organic food professionals attending BIOFACH Nürnberg.
• AHK debeluxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAHK debelux is the Belgian-Luxembourgish-German Chamber of Commerce. Their partnership supports cross-border trade relations and attendance at German trade fairs.
• Duits-Nederlandse Handelskamer (DNHK)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe German-Dutch Chamber of Commerce provides advice on doing business in Germany from the Netherlands. Their partnership helps Dutch companies access German trade fairs.
• CumelaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCumela is the Dutch branch organization for entrepreneurs in green, land, and infrastructure sectors. Their partnership supports outreach to Dutch green/infrastructure professionals.
• FedecomminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFedecom is the Dutch professional association for agricultural, livestock, green and horticulture technology, industry, and internal transport. Their partnership supports outreach to Dutch agricultural technology professionals.
• RomazominorGTM or Marketing PartnerRomazo is the Dutch professional association of sun protection specialists. Their partnership supports outreach to Dutch sun protection professionals attending relevant trade fairs.
• BMB Bouwmaterieel BeneluxminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBMB Bouwmaterieel Benelux provides editorial market information about construction equipment, techniques, deployment, and safety in the Benelux construction sector. Their partnership supports outreach to construction professionals.
• AgriMediaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAgriMedia publishes Dutch trade magazines for specific agricultural target groups. Their partnership supports outreach to Dutch agricultural professionals.
• Zonvak MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerZonvak Magazine is a Dutch trade magazine for the sun protection, roller shutter, and window decoration industry. Their partnership supports outreach to Dutch sun protection professionals.
• Interior BusinessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInterior Business is a Dutch magazine covering home retail, furniture trade, interior suppliers, and designers. Their partnership supports outreach to Dutch furniture and interior professionals.
• KIM MagazineminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKIM Magazine is a Dutch kitchen and interior magazine. Their partnership supports outreach to Dutch kitchen and interior professionals.
• Wonen 360minorGTM or Marketing PartnerWonen 360 is a daily home magazine with interior news. Their partnership supports outreach to Dutch interior and home professionals.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BCD Travel: Major corporate travel management company serving multinational clients with complex itineraries. Competes for the same business-traveler wallet but at a different scale and through corporate-account contracts rather than consumer-direct packages.
• TUI Belgium / TUI Group: One of Tradefairs' core airline partners (TUI Belgium provides charter capacity) and a much broader leisure travel operator. Comparable because TUI sells complete packaged trips including flights and accommodation, but operates at vastly larger scale across leisure rather than trade fair-specific niches.
• DER Touristik: Major German tour operator selling packaged holidays and group travel including MICE components. Provides comparable packages (flight + hotel + transfers) and serves overlapping European markets, but its core business is leisure rather than trade fair travel.
• Eurotours: Austrian tour operator and travel wholesaler offering packaged group travel across Europe. Comparable package-construction and group-coordination capabilities, though Eurotours focuses on leisure and event travel rather than specialized trade fair trips.
• Neckermann Reizen: European package holiday brand (previously part of Thomas Cook Group) re-launched as an OTA across Benelux and Germany. Sells flight+hotel packages to mass-market and niche travelers and competes for the same Benelux business-traveler customer, though without Tradefairs' sector-specific curation.
• Amex GBT (American Express Global Business Travel): Global corporate travel management platform serving enterprises with booking, expense, and travel policy management. Comparable target customer (business traveler) but offers a horizontal solution rather than a trade fair-specific vertical, and could be a future competitive threat or corporate channel partner.

Emerging players

• Beursreizen.nl / VakantieXperts Beursreizen: Dutch travel retail network (VakantieXperts) offering a beursreizen (trade fair travel) product line for Dutch travelers attending major international fairs. Same vertical and same Dutch source market as Tradefairs, but operated through a distributed travel-agent retail network rather than direct-to-consumer charter flights.

Direct peers

• Interreise: German specialist organizing charter flights and group travel to international trade fairs (e.g., IAA, Hannover Messe, BAU). Operates the same all-inclusive charter-based model as Tradefairs but from a German source market, making it the closest head-to-head competitor in the European trade fair travel niche.
• Messe Stuttgart Reisedienst: Travel service arm of Messe Stuttgart offering package deals including flights, transfers, and accommodation to Stuttgart-based trade fairs (R+V, CMT, LogiMAT). Captures the same niche traveler (business professionals attending specific fairs) through a fair-organization-owned channel.

Regional players

• Trade Show Travel (US): US-based travel agency specialized in flights, hotels, and packages for major North American trade shows (CES, HIMSS, AAP). Operates the same vertical-specialized model as Tradefairs but primarily serves the US market, making it a regional analog rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/TradefairsEU

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Tradefairs