wtm-lat-blog

April 9, 2021

Colombia invites you to contemplate, comprehend and conserve!

Travel Community

In January 2021, ProColombia launched an incredible project with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Alexander von Humboldt Institute, and the Wildlife ... Read more

February 8, 2021February 24, 2021

Responsible tourism is resilience

Blog, Responsible Tourism

The sudden changes caused by pandemics in 2020 forced us to reconsider innumerable times the ceremony format of WTM – Latin America Responsible Awards, initially scheduled to ... Read more

May 13, 2020August 18, 2020

TOURISM: How to keep your company relevant in the social media during the crisis

Blog, marketing

*by Dre Nascimento Understand how to think about attractive publications for the public in the tourism sector without being sensationalist during the coronavirus pandemic Since the middle ... Read more

May 12, 2020May 14, 2020

We all know that “the travel and tourism industry will never be the same again”: this is our opportunity to recreate a more responsible sector

Blog

*by Gustavo Pinto We’re gradually getting over the initial shock of unprecedented proportions that this moment has brought us – especially after COVID-19 was classified as a ... Read more

May 11, 2020May 14, 2020

How is ecuadorian tourism facing up to COVID-19 and what plans does it have for recovery after the crisis?

Blog

*by CAPTUR (Camara Provincial de Turismo Pichincha) Ecuador is facing both a health and economic crisis and is in a very difficult situation. It has not had ... Read more

May 11, 2020May 14, 2020

Tourists after Covid-19

Blog

*by ATTA (Adventure Travel Trade Association) We all know that the behaviour of tourists is going to change after this huge pandemic. The Adventure Travel Trade Association ... Read more

May 11, 2020May 14, 2020

Tourism seeks alternatives for facing up to the crisis created by the coronavirus

Blog

*by Alexandre Sampaio (President of the Brazilian Hospitality & Food Association) The arrival of the new coronavirus (Covid-19) in Brazil just over a month ago changed the ... Read more

May 11, 2020May 11, 2020

How are we going to get back to the “unprecedented” normal?

Blog

*by Adriana Cavalcanti The purpose of this article is to generate some ideas and get moving towards all industries, without exception, resuming their operations; after all, isn’t ... Read more

May 11, 2020

It’s time to invest in knowledge and relationships

Blog

*by Luciane Leite For almost two months now we’ve been working in a scenario that has no precedents, either in Brazil or worldwide. Millions of people are ... Read more

February 28, 2020June 17, 2020

WTM Latin America announces the finalists of the Responsible Tourism Awards

Press Releases

Fourteen projects have been selected and the winner in each category will be announced at the event The first edition of the WTM Latin America Responsible Tourism ... Read more

February 24, 2020March 23, 2020

To enjoy nature: turn off your cell phone and experience the parks and conservation units

Blog, WTM Latin America

Originally published at abeta.tur.br “A tropical country that’s beautiful by nature, and how beautiful!”, as a Brazilian song puts it! You must already know that Brazil is ... Read more

February 4, 2020February 24, 2020

5 Technologies for developing tour companies in 2020

Blog, WTM Latin America

By Marta Poggi We live in the era of digital transformation in various economic sectors and it’s no different in tourism. The businesspeople and managers of tour ... Read more

February 4, 2020October 9, 2020

5 Technologies for developing tour companies in 2020

Blog, Technology, WTM Latin America

By Marta Poggi We live in the era of digital transformation in various economic sectors and it’s no different in tourism. The businesspeople and managers of tour ... Read more

January 17, 2020January 20, 2020

Time for something different…

Responsible Tourism

This New Years Eve, a group of friends and I were having dinner. At someone’s prompting, we all shared our five favourite moments of 2019. Two things ... Read more

January 7, 2020

The Cost of Greenhouse Gases

Responsible Tourism

There is little doubt that, assuming war does not break out, that climate change will be the dominant story of 2020. COP 25 was, to say the ... Read more

December 17, 2019December 17, 2019

What were the key headlines for tourism’s sustainability in 2019? Here’s 55 of them…

Responsible Tourism

I reckon the sustainability of tourism has been in the headlines more in 2019 than ever before. So for my final blog of the year, I have ... Read more

November 26, 2019

Blockchain in travel: hype or reality?

Blog, Technology, WTM Latin America

By Travel Forward Blockchain is certainly causing excitement in the travel tech market. As companies and providers look for opportunities to use the technology, it is dividing ... Read more

October 25, 2019October 9, 2020

Big Data: Strategic for Tourism in the Digital Age

Blog, Technology, WTM Latin America

By Marta Poggi In the digital age, the strategic use of technology and specifically of data becomes a decisive factor for companies in all economic segments. It ... Read more

October 21, 2019November 6, 2019

Tourism with aquatic animals: the tide is changing

Blog, Responsible Tourism, WTM Latin America

By João Almeida Watch dolphin shows, swim with pink dolphins in the rivers of the Amazon region, touch these animals and take selfies with them. It all ... Read more

October 21, 2019November 6, 2019

Sustainable Tourism Certification: What does the next generation of certification look like?

Blog, Responsible Tourism, WTM Latin America

By Teresa Llusá There is growing evidence that consumers expect business and destination governments to ensure that consumers are offered more sustainable holidays. According to World Travel ... Read more

October 18, 2019October 24, 2019

The Amazon fires: how did the travel and tourism industry act for support and change?

Blog, Responsible Tourism, WTM Latin America

By Gustavo Pinto The day São Paulo became ‘night’ at 3P.M.: only after the biggest city in South America felt direct impacts from the Amazon fires with ... Read more

August 26, 2019August 26, 2019

Smart Tourism Destinations

Blog, Technology, Trends

By Marta Poggi The Smart Tourism Destinations project was created in Spain in 2002 with the aim of improving the positioning of Spanish destinations globally by making ... Read more

August 22, 2019August 26, 2019

What overtourism are we talking about in Latin America?

Blog, Responsible Tourism

By Gustavo Pinto The rules for visiting Machu Picchu changed in 2019. One of the top cultural destinations in the whole of Latin America (which in 2018 ... Read more

August 13, 2019November 29, 2019

Three reasons for you to put yourself forward for the WTM Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards

Responsible Tourism

By Gustavo Pinto The first edition of the WTM Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards is taking place in 2020. This widely-renowned award has been held since 2004 ... Read more

August 7, 2019August 18, 2020

We’re in 2019 and blogs haven’t died

Blog, marketing, Social Media, Technology, Trends

Search the web and it’s not difficult to find articles announcing the end of blogs. Texts from times as far away (in internet times) as 2008 were ... Read more

July 30, 2019July 30, 2019

Digital transformation in tourism: how to begin?

Blog, Technology, Trends

By Marta Poggi We’re experiencing a digital transformation in tourism, as are many sectors in the economy, and there’s no turning back. We know that this transformation ... Read more

June 25, 2019June 25, 2019

The industry needs to focus on implementing solutions: WTM London & the Awards

Responsible Tourism

As the sector bumps up against the limits to growth in a finite world, we need to focus on solutions. From global warming to overtourism, from flooding ... Read more

June 24, 2019July 8, 2019

SEO, affiliates, podcasts and IG Stories: the big conference stories

Social Media

MORE than 400 travel influencers & content creators gathered in Italy at the weekend for a summer conference and catch-up. The Traverse event in the Trentino town ... Read more

June 21, 2019

A Spotlight on the High-Spending Chinese Tourists

Luxury

There is a Chinese proverb that goes, “When the wind of change blows, some build walls, while others build windmills.” When you’re in the tourism and travel ... Read more

June 12, 2019

We need to talk about carbon emissions in the travel and tourism industry in Latin America

Blog, Responsible Tourism

By Gustavo Pinto M.A. in Responsible Tourism – Manchester Metropolitan University, UK Advisor in Responsible Tourism for WTM Latin America Director of Inverted America Journeys The travel ... Read more

June 12, 2019June 12, 2019

The WTM Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards are launched

Blog, Responsible Tourism

By Gustavo Pinto M.A. in Responsible Tourism – Manchester Metropolitan University, UK Advisor in Responsible Tourism for WTM Latin America Director of Inverted America Journeys Since its ... Read more

June 4, 2019June 4, 2019

What can tourism learn from other industries?

Responsible Tourism

Not a lot apparently. Next week is the annual Responsible Business Summit Europe. Organised by Ethical Corporation, it brings together senior executives from some of the biggest ... Read more

May 30, 2019June 7, 2019

The North Face hacked its way to the top of travel search and people aren’t happy

Social Media

Search on Wikipedia for the concept of ‘digital commons’ and you are told that it refers to “information and knowledge resources that are collectively created and owned ... Read more

May 28, 2019

Why the Doughnut is a Problem for Tourism

Responsible Tourism

It is official. Yesterday the 34-member Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) determined that we have now entered, in geological terms, the Anthropocene: the Age of Man. The group ... Read more

May 24, 2019May 24, 2019

Rethinking hospitality: 3 main trends that are transforming the industry

Blogging, Destinations, Trends, Wellness

By Carolina Sass de Haro Market Specialist, Latin America, Phocuswright Before we get to the trends, it is important to understand what the hospitality industry represents.  According ... Read more

May 23, 2019

Realising Augmented Reality’s potential

Social Media

On September 1, the Cranborne Chase will launch an app using augmented reality to promote its wares. It’s an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AoNB), largely in ... Read more

May 14, 2019May 14, 2019

How tourism operators can protect thousands of wild animals

Blog, Charity

By João Almeida – Wildlife Manager of World Animal Protection The exploitation of wild animals for entertainment is still a sad reality around the world. Behind events ... Read more

May 14, 2019May 16, 2019

Tourism can be a force for good on biodiversity

Responsible Tourism

Just yesterday we heard that Victor Vescovo had descended some 11km to the deepest place in the ocean, the deepest dive ever.  He discovered new species of ... Read more

May 9, 2019May 9, 2019

ITTA Awards prove they are the Industry Stamp of Approval

Blog

Shortly after the International Travel & Tourism Awards (ITTAs) evening last year, we reached out to all the winners as we wanted to find out if winning ... Read more

May 8, 2019June 6, 2019

Small Ways Tour Operators Can Create Big Changes for the Environment

Blog, Certification, Development, Responsible Tourism

By Sharon Conceição Addressing climate change in the adventure travel industry isn’t an easy task. At times, it can even be quite overwhelming, especially for tour operators ... Read more

May 8, 2019May 8, 2019

Trends and Innovation in Tourism and the Hotel Trade

Blog, Blogging, Technology, Trends

By Marta Poggi The increasing use of new technologies has changed consumer behaviour and had a direct impact on tourism business. The 4.0 traveller uses a mobile ... Read more

May 3, 2019May 10, 2019

Iconic and Instagrammable or invented and inhumane? Morocco’s tree goats

Social Media

Search for the hashtag #goatsintrees on Instagram and you bring up more than 7,500 images of just that, often with a glamorous millennial in the foreground wearing ... Read more

April 30, 2019May 16, 2019

The aviation industry is our sector’s Achilles’ heel.

Responsible Tourism

Last week the UK’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Secretary, Michael Gove, admitted that “we have not done nearly enough” on man-made climate change. Gove went on, ... Read more

April 29, 2019May 3, 2019

Saudi Arabia’s Tourism; Mega Projects and a New Vision of Openness to the World

Blog

Dubai’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is an opportunity to promote Saudi Arabia’s tourism products, services and destinations, as well as its tourism investment opportunities. The annual world-renowned ... Read more

April 25, 2019April 25, 2019

Uber + Zoom: great employee experiences, good for business too

Blog

How to build a future-proof travel policy Is your company travel policy prepared for changes in traveler trends and tech? For travel managers, the day-to-day responsibility of ... Read more

April 25, 2019

Facing down challenges and seizing opportunities in the airline business

Aviation

The airline industry has always faced its share of challenges. The key to survival is a rigorous management of costs whilst being versatile in adapting to shifts ... Read more

April 22, 2019May 16, 2019

How should tourism mark Earth Day 2019?

Responsible Tourism

This Monday – April 22, is Earth Day. It’s the 49th anniversary of the event, first celebrated in 1970. And this year, the theme is “Protect our ... Read more

April 17, 2019April 25, 2019

5 new and luxurious resorts that encourage the indulgent

Luxury

Unlike hotels where guests can sometimes book nights out of necessity, resorts are an entirely different business wherein guests book simply because they want to indulge. From ... Read more

April 16, 2019May 16, 2019

Carbon moves up the political agenda – action is overdue

Responsible Tourism

The strikes by school children demanding government action in climate change are growing, reflecting the next generation’s concern about the impact on their future, as they become ... Read more

April 10, 2019May 16, 2019

Netflix’s new David Attenborough series Our Planet shows us what tourism’s future might be

Responsible Tourism

“Hamstrung by the idea that any mention of eco-problems would make audiences switch off, and the broadcasters’ preferred strategy of hoping that sharing incredible sights around the ... Read more

April 5, 2019

The Dorchester Collection takes social media offline in Brunei political row

Social Media

Blunt force trauma is a medical term which describes an injury caused when an object hits or strikes a body. These days, social media has pretty much ... Read more

April 3, 2019May 13, 2019

The Painting of Money Grabbing Influencers

Blogging

If influencer bashing had begun a while ago, we’re certainly in full swing now. Only if you’d been sleeping under a rock (or in one of those ... Read more

April 2, 2019May 16, 2019

2019 World Responsible Tourism Awards are now open

Responsible Tourism

Beware of Greenwash – Why Awards Matter. The World Responsible Tourism Awards open today for nominations. The judges can only choose from amongst those that apply. So, ... Read more

April 1, 2019April 1, 2019

A vision of the future

Aviation, Blog, Blogging

A lot has changed in Brazil, and the country’s skies will never be the same again. We can safely say that that “country of the future”, which ... Read more

March 29, 2019

WTM Latin America announces Ecuador as an exhibitor: the country that divides the world brings new features to the pavilion

Press Releases, WTM Latin America

Situated between the southern and northern hemispheres, this destination presents its natural beauties, diversified itineraries and a new air route to Brazil At its 7th edition which ... Read more

March 27, 2019May 16, 2019

Success of Rent a Finn and Palau Pledge campaigns show how sustainable tourism stories can work

Responsible Tourism

Some good news for a change. Two high profile marketing campaigns, for two very different destinations, show the time is increasingly right for stories about sustainability to ... Read more

March 21, 2019May 13, 2019

Will Instagram let us shop for travel?

Social Media

Instagram has taken another step forward in becoming a key marketplace for people to buy things. This week the company announcemenced the rollout of something called Instagram ... Read more

March 20, 2019March 20, 2019

How luxury hotel brands cater to female travellers

Luxury

March is a month that celebrates women. It is Women’s History Month, an annual commemoration to highlight the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary ... Read more

March 19, 2019May 16, 2019

Why the WTM World Responsible Tourism Awards Matter

Responsible Tourism

In a crowded market place it’s important to stand out from the crowd. WTM’s World Responsible Tourism Awards enable you to do just that. In a market ... Read more

March 12, 2019March 13, 2019

Chile eyes up the Brazilian market

Blog, Destinations

We’re already well into 2019 and with figures from the Subdepartment of Tourism to hand, Chile is already assessing where to focus its eyes and efforts for ... Read more

March 12, 2019May 16, 2019

Why tourism should support the Children’s Climate Strike this Friday

Responsible Tourism

A wave of climate protest is sweeping the planet, and those of us working in tourism would do well to reflect quickly on how it will impact ... Read more

March 7, 2019May 13, 2019

The rise of the influencer in residence

Social Media

“What is work, Mummy?” “Oh it was just something we used to do before AI and robots started doing everything for us, darling.” “And what did you ... Read more

March 7, 2019March 18, 2019

Popular metrics to increase sales in the travel industry

Trends

Day by day the travel industry is improving and people are learning about more features and innovations that they didn’t know before. Technology makes the daily technical ... Read more

March 6, 2019March 6, 2019

Emirates – a new direction?

Aviation

As ATM 2019 rapidly approaches, I’m delighted to say that Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates, will be our first guest for the aviation programme.  Sir Tim’s ... Read more

March 5, 2019May 16, 2019

Going Beyond Trickle Down or Creating Shared Value

Development

In the Responsible Tourism Awards each year we see many examples of businesses which have made real efforts to benefit local communities by sourcing goods and services ... Read more

February 28, 2019February 28, 2019

Top 5 destinations for food around the world in 2019

Food Tourism

Just two months into 2019 and it’s clear to see that food travel is well and truly on the menu for this year’s travel agenda – and ... Read more

February 22, 2019February 22, 2019

2019: the year of Culture Trip?

Social Media

SIT back and enjoy the films. No, not The Oscars silly, but a series of travel shorts from Culture Trip, the media company promising to shake up ... Read more

February 19, 2019February 20, 2019

Climate Change, people are demanding action, but will governments act in time?

Responsible Tourism

This year we are focussing on climate change and carbon emissions at all tour WTM shows. Some of you will recall the stark presentation made by Professor ... Read more

February 14, 2019

Most Romantic Luxury Hotel Amenities

Luxury

“Roses are red, violets are blue. Love is in the air, bring out the fondue.” It’s the month of love, and whether you celebrate Valentine’s Day or ... Read more

February 12, 2019

Using tourism to give people the benefits of time in nature

Responsible Tourism

At the beginning of this month, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) published a series of detailed maps revealing that 36% of England’s population live too ... Read more

February 11, 2019August 18, 2020

SEO overload: The rise of the machine is killing your blog

Blog, Blogging, marketing

Cast your mind back… Do you remember the reason you started blogging in the first place? Maybe it was because you wanted to publish your words and ... Read more

February 8, 2019August 14, 2020

Women in the tourism industry

Blog, Diversity & Inclusion, Trends, Women in Travel

The tourism industry generates income and employment worldwide, and it’s no different for Brazil. The segment drives the aviation, hotel, gastronomy, entertainment, and leisure industries and many ... Read more

February 8, 2019February 8, 2019

Facebook messaging integration: is dark social going to get brighter?

Social Media

Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger are a shady place. Lots of stuff gets shared around in these private places. That’s kind of annoying if ... Read more

February 5, 2019

Responsible Tourism in India

Responsible Tourism

I was privileged to spend last week in India, first in Kerala and then in Delhi, for the 4th India Responsible Tourism Awards – one of the ... Read more

January 30, 2019

Malta’s transformation

Winter 2018 Magazine

A good spread of traveller types, source markets and seasons are the aims of most destinations, and Malta offers something of a masterclass in what’s possible, with ... Read more

January 29, 2019February 1, 2019

How tourism can remove single waste plastic from its supply chain

Responsible Tourism

“Gradually, then suddenly”. It’s how a character in Ernest Hemingway’s The Sun Also Rises, describes how he went bankrupt. I was unaware of the phrase until last ... Read more

January 28, 2019

Long haul budget airline sector

Winter 2018 Magazine

It was a bold move, but Primera Air’s venture into low-cost long-haul will surely be recorded as the shortest-lived attempt to break into the market. From waving ... Read more

January 28, 2019

Blippar stops trading: the long wait for AR and VR to become a reality

Social Media

ANOTHER new year, another debate on whether virtual and augmented reality will become, well, a reality. Not delivering on what’s been promised, gimmicky ideas, a focus on ... Read more

January 25, 2019

The Luxury of Solo Travel

Luxury

Solo travel is on the rise across all markets, and you would have to be living under a rock not to notice it. Open any of your ... Read more

January 22, 2019January 22, 2019

The Orphanage Business

Responsible Tourism

Way back in 2011 the issue of orphanages in Cambodia was raised by Michael Horton during one of our Responsible Tourism sessions at WTM London. Michael reported ... Read more

January 21, 2019

Lesser known emirates

Winter 2018 Magazine

Of the seven sheikhdoms that together make up the United Arab Emirates, perhaps just two – Dubai and Abu Dhabi – are familiar names. But while the ... Read more

January 16, 2019

Ireland post Brexit

Winter 2018 Magazine

Whatever the final outcome of the difficult negotiations between the UK and EU over Brexit, Ireland has had to re-assess its international marketing and try to address ... Read more

January 15, 2019January 15, 2019

Will 2019 be the year tourism engages with flying and climate change?

Responsible Tourism

While it is always risky to make public predictions, I think this year we will see a lot more discussion about aviation and climate change. The reason ... Read more

January 14, 2019

An interview with Ted Stimpson

Winter 2018 Magazine

There can’t be many brands that boast a global market share in excess of 65% but whose boss argues he has not yet reached more than 1% ... Read more

January 10, 2019May 13, 2019

What’s hot in travel for 2019, according to everybody

Social Media

As a travel writer, I can tell the time of year just by looking at my email inbox. At Easter, the subject lines are usually filled with ... Read more

January 9, 2019

China beyond the gateways

Winter 2018 Magazine

Tourism to China has traditionally been based around Beijing and Shanghai, but that could be in for a shake-up thanks to a boom in flights to regional ... Read more

January 3, 2019January 7, 2019

The Caribbean islands’ numbers game

Winter 2018 Magazine

Many holidays to the Caribbean are all about palm trees and gleaming white sands – and with options ranging from mega-resorts to B&Bs, villas and luxury hotels, ... Read more

December 21, 2018

Tunisia’s Recovery

Summer 2018 Magazine

Tunisia’s recovery from the impact of two devastating terrorist attacks three years ago has gathered pace during 2018. Figures from the country’s tourism ministry show that visitor ... Read more

December 20, 2018

Earthrise, Limits to Growth and Responsibility

Responsible Tourism

Fifty years ago on December 24th 1968 the Apollo 8 astronauts took the famous Earthrise photograph as they orbited the moon, the first image of Earth captured ... Read more

December 20, 2018

The retro resurgence in travel and tourism

Social Media

When travelling around America in the 1980s, helpful signs directed you to park the car and photograph a view. With a camera back then, not a smartphone. ... Read more

December 18, 2018

The year in review – key moments in tourism and sustainability from 2018

Responsible Tourism

In a year where the accelerating breakdown of the world’s climate got yet more headlines (if not yet enough action), the travel industry also discovered that it ... Read more

December 17, 2018August 14, 2020

The place for (entrepeneurial) women is…… in the kitchen!?

Blog, Diversity & Inclusion, Women in Travel

Social Enterprising is quickly becoming a buzz word and I have written about it before. One of the most recent trends however is how quickly food and ... Read more

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018

The Disloyal Customer

Technology

I was at a conference the other day and, whilst awaiting the first speaker’s presentation, I was chatting with the lady next to me.  I am not ... Read more

December 14, 2018December 14, 2018

Is YouTube’s hugely disliked Rewind 2018 round-up the most expensive tourism ad ever?

Social Media

In six days, a video has raced up YouTube’s trending charts thanks to, at the time of writing, some 113 million views. It is not the latest ... Read more

December 7, 2018

Why you should visit Puglia

Destinations

Travelling affects quality of life. For beyond your customary trip, Puglia is the most effective cure to rejuvenate, enhance yourself and become aware of the world. Rather ... Read more

December 3, 2018

What can tourism learn from David Attenborough and the People’s Seat Initiative today?

Responsible Tourism

Today at the UN Climate Conference in Katowice Poland, David Attenborough’s People’s Seat initiative will see the 92yr old naturalist use his position to share the voices ... Read more

November 30, 2018November 30, 2018

Draining the swamp of fake influencers: can it be done?

Social Media

The analysis of an influencer’s worth is deepening daily, as brands turn away and genuine influencers turn on their wannabe colleagues. Two influencers in the past week ... Read more

November 27, 2018June 2, 2020

Progress on Overtourism

Overtourism

There is more coverage of the issue of overtourism in the mainstream press than in the trade press. Understandably destination marketers and many governments dislike the word ... Read more

November 23, 2018

All Together Now

Technology

I quite often give presentations explaining the characteristics of our future consumers – Generations Y and Z when actually, they are just about all grown up now.  ... Read more

November 13, 2018November 13, 2018

Responsible Tourism is an inclusive agenda

Responsible Tourism

The Responsible Tourism programme of talks, presentations, discussions and interviews held across all four WTM shows reflects the broad agenda of Responsible Tourism. At WTM London last ... Read more