CMT Stuttgart 2026: The World’s Biggest Holiday Show
If you are in the tourism or caravanning industry, January means one thing: Stuttgart.
CMT 2026 (Die Urlaubsmesse) is not just a trade show; it is a cultural phenomenon. As the world's largest consumer show for tourism and leisure, it attracts over a quarter-million visitors in just 9 days.
For exhibitors, this volume is both a blessing and a curse. You have massive exposure, but you also have massive noise. Here is your guide to navigating the marathon that is CMT.
CMT 2026: Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | January 17 – 25, 2026 |
| Location | Messe Stuttgart (Directly at the Airport) |
| Focus | Caravanning, Camping, Tourism, Outdoor |
| Traffic | ~260,000+ Visitors (Public & Trade) |
| Duration | 9 Days (It's a marathon!) |
| Key Halls | Halls 1-10 (Full Capacity) |
The "Needle in the Haystack" Problem
Unlike pure B2B shows, CMT is open to the public. This means your booth will be flooded with families, retirees, and campers looking for their next holiday.
The Exhibitor’s Dilemma:
- •Buried in that crowd of 260,000 consumers are 30,000+ high-value Trade Visitors—dealers, fleet managers, and travel agency owners who can sign B2B contracts.
- •If you treat everyone the same, you will burn out by Day 3. You need a way to filter and capture the B2B leads instantly without ignoring the public.
The Solution
You need a "Fast Track" for trade professionals. When you identify a serious B2B buyer (look for the Trade Visitor badge, often distinctively colored):
- 1.Don't fumble for a pen. The aisles are too crowded.
- 2.Scan their card with CardSync.
- 3.Voice Note the context: "Dealer from Bavaria, interested in 50 units for rental fleet, sent 2026 wholesale price list."
- 4.Export separately. Keep your B2B leads clean and separate from your consumer newsletter sign-ups.
3 Trends to Watch in Hall 1 (Caravanning)
1. "Vanlife" Goes Corporate
The #Vanlife trend isn't just for Instagram influencers anymore. Major manufacturers are showcasing "Work-from-Road" optimized vehicles, complete with enterprise-grade 5G antennas and ergonomic office setups.
2. Eco-Camping
In the Tourism halls, "Sustainable Travel" is the dominant theme. Destinations that can prove they offer low-carbon footprints (rail travel packages, eco-lodges) are seeing the highest engagement.
3 Survival Tips for a 9-Day Show
1. Pace Yourself (The Rotation Rule)
CMT is 9 days long. That is double the length of a normal B2B expo.
Tip: Do not have your "A-Team" sales staff stand for 9 days straight. Rotate your staff. Burnout is the enemy of closing deals.
2. The "Airport" Advantage
Messe Stuttgart is unique because it is practically inside Stuttgart Airport.
Tip: If you have VIP clients flying in for a meeting, they don't even need a taxi. They can walk from the terminal to your booth in Hall 3 in under 10 minutes. Use this convenience to book C-level meetings that would otherwise be impossible.
3. Digital Brochures Only
With 260,000 visitors, if you hand out physical brochures to everyone, you will run out by Tuesday.
Tip: Put a QR code on your counter for the public. Save the expensive printed catalogs (and your physical energy) for the qualified leads you scan into CardSync.
Summary
CMT 2026 is a test of endurance, but the payoff is massive. It sets the order book for the entire caravanning and tourism year. Filter the noise, focus on the trade buyers, and keep your energy high.
