Cruise Trade News will deliver the keynote address at the 2026 New Deal Europe Marketplace & Forum

Taking place at the Hilton London Metropole on 24 March 2026, the event will welcome more than 85 tourism suppliers from across South East Europe and the Balkans, meeting with buyers from the UK, Europe and North America for a day focused on developing new business opportunities across the region.

The event’s keynote session, the New Deal Europe Forum, will be hosted by Cruise Trade News and focus on the growing influence of river and ocean cruising in South East Europe and the Balkans.

The panel discussions will explore current trends, booking patterns and opportunities for destinations and travel companies in the region’s expanding cruise sector.

This year’s event will also highlight a number of partner destinations and regional initiatives. The official partner destination for 2026 is North Macedonia, while Armenia will join the event as a special guest destination. Destination presentations will also be delivered by Zagreb – the capital city of Croatia, the Western Slovenian regions, and Moldova.

Tine Murn, CEO of New Deal Europe, said: “As travel patterns continue to evolve and tour operators look to diversify their programmes, South East Europe and the Balkans are becoming increasingly attractive for the international travel trade.

“The region offers exceptional opportunities for cultural touring, emerging destinations and year-round experiences, while still remaining relatively undiscovered for many travellers. New Deal Europe was created to connect buyers with the people shaping tourism across the region, and this year’s Marketplace once again brings together an outstanding group of destinations, suppliers and partners.”

To apply to attend the 2026 New Deal Europe Marketplace & Forum, agents and tour operators should visit www.newdealeurope.com.