Organised by the Interamerican Network, the Guest Travel Agent Programme registered 727 participants at this year’s event.
WTM Latin America, the main world event in the Latin American travel industry, in partnership with the Interamerican Network, a Brazilian business entirely dedicated to customers in the tourism industry, confirms another indicator at its sixth edition: of the 727 travel agents registered, 700 were at the Expo Center Norte, in São Paulo, from April 3 – 5, a figure representing growth of 16.5% over 2017’s 601 participants.
Held for the first time by Interamerican, the special activity is part of the guest travel agent programme and had as its mission to encourage travel agents from Brazil’s 27 states to participate in WTM Latin America 2018, via both air and road transport. With a programme of exclusive benefits, the participants were given the opportunity to attend the sector’s most important B2B event in Latin America.
Of the total participating, 387 came by air transport and 313 by road, which respectively represents growth of 10% and 25% over the previous year. “We opened new markets, diversified the itineraries and opened new opportunities for players. We also strengthened our operation through a strategic partnership with Travel Ace, Rextur and Novotel Jaraguá. We are very pleased with the results”, says Danielle Clouzet Roman, president of Interamerican Network.
For Edna Costa, of Ecost Turismo & Eventos, which participated in WTM Latin America, and was part of the group from Volta Redonda in Rio de Janeiro state, it was very important to have this experience, to make contacts with various suppliers and find out more about different destinations. “It was my first time at the event and we were very well received. I am at the beginning stage, and this experience, as well as bringing new knowledge, will certainly help me in selling and offering new experiences to my customers”, she says.
Of the 27 states represented, the capitals of Ceará and Pernambuco were responsible for the biggest groups arriving at the 2018 event by air. Together, they brought 79 agents. “I would like to congratulate and thank the Interamerican Network team for the organisation and attention given to the group from Recife. In my case, I had a health problem, and in addition to support for the event, I received assistance in rescheduling my flight, extra hotel accommodation and transport”, says Verônica Araújo Lima, from Jambo Viagens e Turismo, in Recife.
In addition to the increase in registrations and participants, another indicator to commemorate was the reduction in no-shows. In 2017, 84 of the agents registered did not participate in the event. In this year’s edition, the number fell to 27 people. “Of course, our goal is to have 100% of those registered taking part with us. But by increasing the presence of these professionals by 16.5% and, at the same time, reducing no-shows, we exceeded our expectations. Our goal is to attract, year-on-year, more travel agents, as well as giving greater potential to their participating in the event’s three days”, emphasises Luciane Leite, director of WTM Latin America.
The 7th edition of WTM Latin America is already confirmed and will take place from April 2 – 4, 2019, in São Paulo.
About World Travel Market
World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises six leading B2B events across four continents, generating more than $7bn of industry deals. The events are:
WTM Latin America, the main world event for the sector of tourism and travel in Latin America, attracted over 8,000 executives at its sixth event, held in April, 2018. Responsible for attracting a worldwide public that comes together to network, realise business deals and discover the sector’s latest innovations, the event happens in São Paulo, at the Expo Center Norte. http://latinamerica.wtm.com/. Next event: 2 – 4 April 2019 – São Paulo.
WTM London, the leading global event for the travel industry, is the must-attend three-day exhibition for the worldwide travel and tourism industry. About 50,000 senior travel industry professionals, government ministers and international media visit ExCeL London every November, generating about £2.8 billion of travel industry contracts. http://london.wtm.com/. Next event: 5-7 November 2018 – London.
T>F Travel Forward is a new travel technology event co-located with WTM London 2018 and part of the WTM portfolio of events. The inaugural T>F Travel Forward conference, exhibition and buyer programme will take place on 5 – 7 November 2018 at ExCeL London, showcasing next-generation technology for travel and hospitality.
WTM Africa launched in 2014 in Cape Town, South Africa. Nearly 5,000 travel industry professionals attend Africa’s leading inbound and outbound travel and tourism market. WTM Africa delivers a proven mix of hosted buyers, media, pre-scheduled appointments, on-site networking, evening functions and invited travel trade visitors. http://africa.wtm.com/. Next event: 18 – 20 April 2018 – Cape Town.
Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the leading, international travel and tourism event in the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. ATM 2017 attracted almost 40,000 industry professionals, agreeing deals worth US$2.5 billion over the four days. The 25th edition of ATM will showcase more than 2,500 exhibiting companies across 12 halls at Dubai World Trade Centre, making it the largest ATM in its 25-year history. http://arabiantravelmarket.wtm.com/ www.wtmworld.com. Next event: 28 April – 01 May 2019 – Dubai.
International Golf Travel Market (IGTM) is the meeting place for the global B2B golf travel community. Taking place annually since 1998, IGTM brings together more than 500 golf tourism suppliers and 400 pre-qualified buyers for four days of unmissable pre-scheduled appointments and exclusive networking opportunities. Showcasing a different golf destination every year, IGTM brings together 1,400 golf tourism professionals from more than 65 countries. http://igtm.wtm.com/. Next event: 15-18 October 2018 – Slovenia.
About Reed Exhibitions
Reed Exhibitions is the world’s leading events business, enhancing the power of face-to-face through data and digital tools at more than 500 events a year, in more than 43 countries, attracting more than seven million participants. East, Asia Pacific and Africa and organised by 41 fully staffed offices. Reed Exhibitions serves 43 industry sectors with trade and consumer events. It is part of the RELX Group plc, a world-leading provider of information solutions for professional customers across industries.
About Reed Travel Exhibitions
Reed Travel Exhibitions is the world’s leading travel and tourism events organiser with a growing portfolio of more than 22 international travel and tourism trade events in Europe, the Americas, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Our events are market leaders in their sectors, whether they are global and regional leisure travel trade events, or specialist events for meetings, incentives, conference, events (MICE) industry, business travel, luxury travel, travel technology as well as golf, spa and ski travel. We have more than 35 years’ experience in organising world-leading travel exhibitions.
Press Support – World Travel Market Latin America
MAPA Comunicação Integrada
Milena Furtado – Communication Analyst
Lara Sant’anna – Communication Assistant
Estela Marques – International Accounts Manager
Marcia Leite – Communications Director
Maria Priscila Alves Nabozni – CEO
55 (11) 5096.3137 | 55 (11) 9-6316 7338