Loop Madeira 2026: That was the B2B industry highlight

Rethinking luxury – through the added value of togetherness ...

... this has been part of Loop's recipe for success for years, thanks to its creative director Astrid Oberhummer , who, together with her fantastic team, has also come up with some great ideas for the Loop Leisure Spring 26 at the Savoy Palace in Madeira from March 22–26. They’ve come up with some great ideas to make this event a highlight in the B2B luxury tourism industry—one that offers more than just another meet-and-greet event in the sector.

After all, seeing the big picture is especially important when, as is currently the case for everyone involved, the path to success isn’t just upward or straight ahead, but takes sharp turns. It helps immensely to be welcomed on-site by a team that is as warm and caring as it is well-prepared, and to be guided through a relaxed welcome evening. What a successful start to the event at the Galaxia Skybar in the Savoy Palace, with a rooftop view over the lights of Madeira and a flying dinner of the finest quality!



The next morning began with an energetic breathing session as mindfulness training for all participants, which attuned everyone to the here and now and made buyers and suppliers alike sensitive to the human interaction that is particularly needed at this time to achieve success for all involved and to view the upcoming meeting marathon as an enriching experience. And it helped everyone ground themselves on the Flower Island before venturing into creative heights. "Destination Insight - Awakening in Madeira's Nature" was the motto for the next afternoon's nature hike along the historic waterways, which perhaps confronted some with nature more than they would have liked—given the weather and the condition of the trails after heavy rain.




Madeira proved all the more impressive as a lush green paradise—including a meditation session in the middle of the forest next to a stream, accompanied by the rustling of the trees and the intense chirping of birds. What a location—just like the romantic Quinta, where the local dinner took place with traditional musical accompaniment and the "Flavours of Madeira" were presented, showcasing all the emotions the island has to offer.





Further meetings the following morning were followed by Loop Faces , a newly created livestream panel discussion on the topic "From Luxury Me to Luxury We" . Astrid Oberhummer spoke on stage in the ballroom with participants Elisabeth Gürtler, hotel icon and owner of the Alpin Resort Sacher Seefeld, Florian von Derschau , organizer of murkl.com featuring exclusive Alaska trips, Michelle Dittmann , Director of Coolzoone Madeira, one of Europe’s most innovative new longevity centers, and Connoisseur Circle author Claudia Bette-Wenngatz , a media and wellness expert, discussed crisis management as well as personal development and a holistic approach to tourism.





Thus, everyone was well prepared for the "Journey to Health and Renewal," which led either to the Cocoa Meditation in the hotel garden or to a tour of the Coolzoone Longevity & Performance Center , where visiting the world’s largest cold chamber and the largest infrared course was a special highlight for many.





Who wouldn’t start the Luxury Networking Night at the Nini Design Centre by the harbor feeling physically and mentally invigorated and full of joy! And honestly: Such a magnificent setting, lavishly decorated with flowers, simply leaves a lasting impression, sharpens one’s eye for the beauty in luxury tourism, and puts the harsh reality of the business into perspective. Thanks to Astrid Oberhummer and the Loop Team, who sent off the Loop Leisure guests with the slogan: Connecting, Inspiring. Authentic. . There’s little left to add to that...

Event Highlights

Loop Leisure Spring 26 in Madeira has once again demonstrated why this format ranks among the most exciting events in B2B luxury tourism . Amid inspiring encounters, in-depth discussions, and extraordinary experiences, one thing became clear: this is about more than just networking—it’s about genuine connections, new perspectives, and lasting partnerships.

The participants’ comments also underscore this vision:

Stefan Callaars, Business Development Expert, Van Oys Maastricht Retreat

“As a brand-new hotel that opened eight months ago, we’re always on the lookout for new opportunities. We learned about the Loop through our professional network, and after some research, it seemed like a step in the right direction. We want to build deep connections with professionals in the travel industry—not superficial ones, but ones with real depth. For us, the Loop is a success if we can convince our new contacts of the beauty of Maastricht and the Limburg hills. Of course, the circle is only complete when we can welcome many guests to the region.”

Hiren Mazgaonkar, Global Director of Sales – Germany, Austria & Switzerland, Minor Hotels

“The Loop is more than a traditional trade event; it creates an environment for authentic conversations and long-term collaboration. It allows us to forge close ties with key partners in Europe’s most important source markets while showcasing the distinctive experiences our brands offer. Equally valuable to us are the insights we gain through these engagements, which help us better understand evolving guest expectations and wellness trends.”

Kim Sarah Groneberg, Director, Global Sales (Frankfurt), Shangri-La Group/Sales Team

“With its concept of one-on-one meetings and joint networking events, Loop not only offers a platform for showcasing our hotels but also creates a fantastic setting for generating new contacts and deepening existing partnerships. Astrid and her entire team touch the hearts of their participants with every event, and especially in challenging times, it is invaluable to be able to personally exchange views on current trends with our industry colleaguesThe partnerships and friendships we forge at Loop are the key to resilience, and we are delighted to be a long-standing supplier to Loop!”

Manuela Küderli, Head of Travel & Lifestyle, Digt AG, Dällikon, Switzerland

“I expected to meet new, exciting providers from the premium segment and make valuable contacts. Inspiring conversations, new perspectives, and concrete opportunities for collaboration were particularly important to me. The Loop concept is truly amazing, and the quality of the providers is very high. I am particularly impressed by the organization. The brand recognition and branding are very strong. There is an enormous amount of attention to detail and dedication behind it. Through personal interaction, you can quickly determine here which partnerships truly have potential.”

Florian von Derschau, Murkl.com, Alaska Adventures

“I attended Loop for the first time in 2016. Back then, I actually brought a dog sled with me and pulled buyers around the trade show while I presented Alaska—a bit unconventional, but that’s exactly what sparked many conversations back then and also worked out financially.Today, almost ten years later, I see how Loop has evolved and how the potential of this format has grown—without losing Astrid’s personal touch. It’s precisely this blend of quality, personality, and genuine connection that makes it special to me. I’ve had many excellent conversations here in Madeira, and I see real potential in some of these contacts. For murkl.com, the Loop was definitely a complete success—both professionally and personally. It is precisely this dynamic that gives rise to trips that are not standardized, but personal.”

Sylvia Daniels, Owner of FIRST Travel Agency Heinsberg

“For me, The Loop is an excellent opportunity to expand my network in the tourism industry. I get to know hotels and tour operators personally, and this has often given me the chance to make the impossible possible. What sets it apart from other concepts and makes it successful, in my view, is Astrid’s clear vision, as well as her tireless dedication and motivation. Regardless of its size, The Loop fosters a remarkably friendly, almost family-like atmosphere and I look forward to our annual exchange every year.”

Gintare Ferrario, Founder of OTIOU, UK and Lucerne

“I came to ‘The Loop’ as a ‘Hosted Buyer’ after another buyer recommended the event to me. Since my clients are high-net-worth individuals, celebrities, and blue-chip companies, and I’m based in Switzerland, it immediately felt like the right choice. It was my first time, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect… but right from the first phone call, I just felt it—uncomplicated, authentic, everything ran like clockwork. The vendors were incredibly interesting, truly top-notch, and I’m honestly over the moon about the people I met. The organizers and the team are the WOW factor! The whole fair feels very well put together, not contrived, just the right energy. For me, it’s not just a fair—it’s connections that actually make sense.”