WTM Latin America 2014 a resounding success

World Travel Market Latin America 2014 is firmly established as the leading global event for the Latin American travel industry with 25% of the exhibition floor already rebooked for 2015.

World Travel Market Latin America 2014 is firmly established as the leading global event for the Latin American travel industry with 25% of the exhibition floor already rebooked for 2015.

Exhibitors, visitors and buyers are all toasting to the success of the second event, with an impressive volume of business deals anticipated.

The event which brings the world to Latin America and promotes Latin America to the world has already seen 24 exhibitors re-book for next yearโ€™s event, covering the full spectrum of the exhibition floor – Brazilian, Latin American and the rest of the world from both the private and public sector- with many exhibitors dramatically increasing their overall stand space.

Confirmed exhibitors for next yearโ€™s event – which will take place at the more central venue, Expo Center Norte, in Sao Paulo on April 22-24, 2015 will include Mexico, Windsor Hotels, Top Atlantico DMC, Avianca, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Chile, Trump Hotels, Iberostar, Peru, Bahamas, Brand USA, Israel, Switzerland and Morocco.

Furthermore, Hilton Worldwide has doubled its stand space for 2015. Atout France, Accor and Air France has increased its stand space by 20%, Brazilian travel experts Via Capi DMC will be 50% larger next year while award winning Portuguese hotel group Porto Bay will increase their stand by 25%.

WTM Latin America has been the catalyst for a phenomenal amount of business, thanks in part to the Hosted Buyer Program and the three Speed Networking events which took place over the three days and facilitated an array of big money deals.

“The event has been very productive. The negotiations went really well. Iยดve made new contacts and signed around 30 new deals,” says Carlos Viso, General Manager at leading Peruvian DMC Solange Reps.

Bernardo Ignarra, Promotions and Partnerships Coordinator, City of Sao Paulo Tourism said: โ€œFor me Iโ€™m in love with this event, itยดs where the business happens and where you see results which is a big difference to other events.โ€

The second WTM Latin America was held last week at the Transamerica Expo Centre in Sao Paulo from April 23-25 and took place at the same time as the 41st Braztoa Business Meeting. The three day event welcomed 16,000 trade professionals, witnessing a 3% increase in visitors on the second day (Thursday, April 24).

Braztoa President, Marco Ferraz, said: โ€œWTM was a success for tourism professionals and above all for Brazil. Weโ€™re very happy with the result of the second edition of this partnership. The changes that were made, such as the improved exhibition area for our associates, which was bigger and more open, as well as its location in the center, meant that there was a lot more movement and integration with Braztoa associates, who are celebrating the results of the event.โ€

Reed Travel Exhibitions Director WTM Latin America Lawrence Reinisch said: โ€œI have had really strong feedback from all participants telling me what a great success the second event has been, with many exhibitors looking for greater visibility and more exhibition space.

โ€œExhibitors have been extremely happy with the numbers and quality of buyers, visitors and decision makers that they have seen and the increase in the number of business discussions and negotiations that have been had on the exhibition floor.

โ€œVisitors have been pleased with overall scope and number of exhibitors taking part in the event. And with the event growing and moving to Expo Center Norte next year, a more central location, this will help to take WTM Latin America to the next level facilitating the arrival of even more national and international buyers, exhibitors and travel agents.โ€

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Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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