WTM Latin America 2023 has now opened up registration for the Agente na Estrada programme [in free translation, Agent on the Road], which was created with the aim of reinforcing the relationship between travel agents and operators. “We value the Brazilian market, which is enormous and in which travel agents play a key role,” says Thais Del Ben, Marketing and Communication Manager of WTM Latin America, the 2023 edition of which will be held between April 3 and 5, at the Expo Center Norte Exhibition Centre in the city of São Paulo.
Ever since its very first edition, WTM Latin America has established partnerships that make it possible for travel agents from all over the country to take part. It will not be different this year, which will be commemorating the event’s 10th anniversary. Three months before the event gets underway, the organisation has already confirmed that professionals from every part of Brazil have already signed up, boosting the chances of doing business with operators and other players.
Curated by Interamerican Network, this year’s programme should result in at least 642 visits by travel agents to WTM Latin America. The agents who take part will have access to ConnectMe, which is a meeting scheduling platform that helps them make the best use of their time during the event. “The exhibitor can filter the public and find these agents on the platform to facilitate connections, which brings greater visibility and boosts the potential for doing business,” explains Thaís.
There is also a concierge on hand to help the participants optimise the possibilities in terms of relationships, business, and knowledge during their visit. Another advantage is that exhibitors can organise training sessions exclusively with the Agente na Estrada programme. The required trade-offs are in line with the event’s business nature: scheduling meetings through ConnectMe and attending training sessions. The selection of the agents follows qualification criteria that help WTM Latin America maintain its position as the region’s main B2B event.
“One of the points that exhibitors are most interested in before giving any guarantee that they will be taking part in the event is to know if the Agente na Estrada programme will be taking place. The exhibitors have an extremely high degree of confidence in the quality of the Programme. Peru and the State of Mato Grosso do Sul will both hold exclusive training sessions with the travel agents, in addition to greeting them at their respective stands. It is a way for exhibitors to further expand their reach with this very significant audience at WTM Latin America,” states WTM Latin America’s Commercial Manager Bianca Pizzolito.
By pointing out that this programme does not exist in any other event in the WTM portfolio, being an action that is exclusive to the Latin American event, the executive highlights WTM Latin America’s innovation and pioneering spirit. “We have invested in the Agente na Estrada programme because we value the role that travel agents play in the tourism chain as a major sales force in our region,” reveals Thaís, remembering that commercial positioning requires that all the links take part. “Furthermore, their coming results in a knowledge multiplier effect, since they go back to their bases and share what they learned with the other employees. Our intention is to contribute to the development of the tourism industry”, she says in closing.
Registration will remain open until the first half of March, or as long as there are spaces available, and travel agents can express their interest by sending an e-mail to rsvp@interamerican.com.