The event will be held between April 5th and April 7th, at the Expo Center Norte Exhibition Centre, in São Paulo, marking the start of the season of large-scale tourism events in Latin America
Relationship, connection, qualified content, reflection, establishing partnerships and closing deals, these are some of the words given by exhibitors when asked why they take part in WTM Latin America.
Today, just one month before the event which will be under the command of the director Simon Mayle, WTM Latin America 2022 confirms another edition with hundreds of organizations from all over the world, coming together for a meeting of exposure, relationship and the discussion of qualified content regarding the most up-to-date topics in the industry.
Among the exhibitors are the Egyptian Tourist Board, Costa Rica Tourist Board, Disney Destinations, United States, Maldives, Ministry of Tourism of Uruguay, Procolombia, Promperú, Chilean National Tourism Service (Sernatur), Turismo de Portugal, Visit Orlando (destination and international government representatives); AM Resorts, Accor, Best Western, Hilton Worldwide, GJP Hotels, Grupo DiRoma, Othon Hotels, Iberostar Bahia, Meliá International Hotel, Palladium Hotel Group, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (national and international hotel chains and operators); Avis Budget Group, Localiza Rent a Car (car rental); GTA – Global Travel Assistance, Vital Card (travel insurance); Resorts Brasil (associations and class entities), Omnibees (distribution); Costa Cruises, Norwegian Cruise, Discover Cruises (cruises); Europlus Operadora, FRT Operadora, MG3, Orinter Tour & Travel, Personal Brasil and Schultz (consolidators, inbound services, operators and agencies).
Under the theme “The Magic is back”, this edition continues with the purpose of connecting Latin America to the world and the world to Latin America. “As always, we will bring exhibitors from all over the world and we are making every effort to provide content that will be split between our three main cornerstones, which are Technology, Diversity & Inclusion, and Responsible Tourism. We are now in the last month of preparation for an event that is very complete and has a lot to offer everyone who is part of it”, says Mayle, adding that “we know that the pandemic is not over and that there are countless other challenges in the world – social, politically, environmentally and economically speaking. And all of this needs to be taken into account when we bring together players who are part of a chain as important as tourism, which fuels more than 50 other economic sectors.”
Resorts Brasil agrees and confirms the reflection presented by Mayle. “This edition of WTM Latin America is very special both for Resorts Brasil as well as for our associates. The last two years were very challenging for the world and for the tourism industry. But we also learned a great deal during this period. Taking part in the WTM again is a great opportunity to reconnect physically with our partners in the industry and discuss the future of tourism together. We want to bring inspiration to the event, sparking ideas on topics that are important for the tourism sector, such as innovation and sustainability”, says Ana Biselli Aidar, Executive President.
Resumption of the face-to-face event
WTM Latin America integrates the portfolio of one of the world’s largest event organizers and the resumption of the face-to-face event, in the pavilion, has been expected by a number of sectors – both domestic as well as international.
This event is being held in accordance with all the recommendations and the implementation of all the health protocols necessary to take care of those who are taking part in our event. Along with others, these include the mandatory wearing of masks, the presentation of vaccination certificates, social distancing and the use of hand sanitizer, in addition to others that can be checked out using this link.
“We are well aware that the pandemic is not over and that, in all likelihood, we will have to live with its protocols for a long time. In this sense, we have learned even more about the importance of the industry’s players in relation to giving consumers the confidence to travel. We are talking here about travel agencies, operators, hotel companies, car rental companies and insurance companies, to name just a few”, says Simon Mayle, adding that “the world has resumed investing in experiences and travellers need to be sure of their choices. Therefore, we need to create connections and we are going to offer a full and in-depth event in this sense”, he concludes.
It is also in the resumption of face-to-face events, that the expectations of exhibitors such as Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Schultz lay. “Being an exhibitor at WTM Latin America is part of our business strategy, as it is an event that allows us qualified visibility for the brand as well as boosting sales through our partner operators and travel agents. Our taking part is already a tradition and our expectation for this year is even greater, given that this achievement marks the official resumption of tourism in our entire region”, declares Ilka Padula, Director of Global Sales LATAMC at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
Aroldo Schultz, founder and CEO of the company that bears his name and which operates in different niches in the sector (from insurance to technology, and including operators and travel agencies), also confirms the importance of the face-to-face event. “We have taken part in every edition of WTM Latin America, including the virtual edition, last year. And, we are in no doubt whatsoever that the sector’s professionals need to meet up, so much so that we ourselves are on the eve of our annual convention”, says the executive.
“We have already taken part in various editions of WTM Latin America and we trust the event as one of our strategies for supporting the industry’s transformation, for the purpose of bringing hotel technology to all partners. There is no doubt that this is one of the biggest meeting points for the Latin American tourist trade and that our presence is in line with our development project for the region”, says Rodolfo Delphorno, Omnibees’ Sales and Marketing Director.
Importance of Brazil for international destinations
The Brazilian market remains a strategic for international destinations that have already confirmed their presence at WTM Latin America 2022.
Among them is Colombia, with its many attractions. “Brazil continues to be one of the most important markets for our tourism industry and, precisely because of this, it is very important to be prepared for the resumption of the WTM Latin America event in the pavilion. We are going to gather leaders and entrepreneurs who, together, will talk about the countless opportunities that our destination offers to the whole world and to Brazilians”, states Nicolás Casasfranco, Director of Procolombia Brazil.
It is also from Brazil that come the visitors who are regarded as being very strategic for Chile, a country that has the world’s driest desert together with countless contrasts, with a number of tourist options that are making the destination one of the ones preferred by Brazilians. “Brazil is one of our main issuers, with an average individual daily spend of US$ 95.30 (in 2019, the last year before the pandemic), and is the second largest issuer market, only behind the Chinese one. Our expectation this year is to receive 164,000 Brazilians”, says Andrea Wolleter, director of the Chile’s National Tourism Service (Sernatur). The executive goes on to say that “given the importance of the Brazilian market for Chile, WTM Latin America is a very significant event for our country and our participation will be a very strategic one, capable of presenting our attractions and new features”, she concludes.
In addition to the South American region, North America also recognizes the strategic importance of Brazilian tourists. “Brazil has always been and continues to be one of the main international markets for SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment. Even during the period of travel restrictions and closed US borders, we maintained our presence and close relationship with the Brazilian trade. Now, we are looking forward to taking part in WTM Latin America, which brings together the major players in our market. This year’s edition will be an even more special one, as we will be able to meet our main partners, the travel agents, in person, and present our latest attractions at the parks: Ice Breaker at SeaWorld Orlando and Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens Tampa”, states Leonardo Fortes, Marketing and Sales Manager at SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment in Brazil.
Registration for WTM Latin America 2022 is already open, and entry will be by prior registration only and presentation of proof of full vaccination. All health protocols have been adopted and are available on the site.
About World Travel Market
The World Travel Market (WTM) portfolio comprises the main travel events, online portals and virtual platforms of four continents, and generates more than US$ 7.5 billion in business for the industry.
About WTM Latin America
WTM Latin America takes place annually in São Paulo and attracts around 19,000 tourism professionals during the three-day event. The fair offers qualified content, as well as networking and business opportunities. In its ninth edition – the first fully virtual event was held in 2021 – WTM Latin America has continued to focus on effective business generation and has reached the mark of 4,200 meetings held between buyers, travel agents and exhibitors.
For further information – WTM Latin America
Marcia Leite (11) 9-4334 3017
Fran Xavier (41) 9-9188 9576