The French company Accor, the world’s leading hotel operator, will once again be the headline sponsor of World Travel Market Latin America.
Accor was the headline sponsor of last year’s inaugural WTM Latin America and will sponsor this year’s event, which takes place at the Transamerica Expo Center, in the city of São Paulo, between the 23rd and the 25th of April, as alongside the 41st Braztoa Business Meeting (the Brazilian Association of Tour Operators).
Accor Latin America’s Sales Marketing and Distribution Director, Emanuel Baudart said the hotel chain is continuing its headline sponsorship of WTM Latin America as it is the best event for it to grow its business in the region.
“With a diversified business model that is pioneering for the region, WTM Latin America facilitates professional contact with a variety of players and offers the opportunity of meetings organized in advance with qualified international buyers, which is definitely an attraction for our company,” he said.
“At the event, we have the chance to present our launches and tools to the market, as well as to close some good deals”, he added.
Accor is aiming to grow its business in the region and take advantage of the increased profile and interest this year’s football World Cup and the 2016 Olympics and Paralympics will bring.
The travel industry has been a key driver of economic growth in the region. The number of people arriving rose almost 50% in the past 10 years, increasing from 54 million in 2003 to 80 million forecast for this year. Brazil is the main driver of this growth.
“The economic growth that has been registered in a number of markets such as Chile, Colombia, Mexico and in particular Brazil, has led a lot of multinationals to invest in Latin America, thus increasing the corporate flow,” Baudart added.
“This together with the decision to hold major events such as the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games has caused the travel flow to our region to increase significantly.”
WTM Latin America, Director, Lawrence Reinisch said: “In total, there were exhibitors from 60 countries at WTM Latin America 2013 – all of whom had their eyes firmly fixed on the potential of Brazilian tourists, who in 2012 alone spent more than US$ 22 billion overseas.
“This year, the expectation is that the trade fair will be an even bigger success, bearing in mind that with three months still to go before the event actually takes place, the level of interest from the market is already exceeding expectations. And the partnership with our sponsor Accor, is crucial for us to achieve this objective.”
Further information can be obtained at www.wtmlatinamerica.com.
