The extremely successful fourth edition of WTM Latin America which took place alongside the 45th Braztoa Business Event opened its doors to more than 5,900 unique travel trade visitors this year, a 5.4% increase on 2015 and a 26% increase on 2014, firmly cementing its position as the leading travel event in the Latin American travel industry.
Amongst the thousands of visitors that flooded in, almost 1,000 buyers and hosted buyers from Brazil, Latin America and rest of the world negotiated business deals, made new contacts and interacted with the variety of destinations, service providers and product managers on the exhibition floor.
WTM Latin America 2016, the event which brings the world to Latin America and promotes Latin America to the world will generate business deals in excess of US$ 363 million from deals done over the three days of the event and in the months that follow.
This massive amount of business that is expected to be generated can, in part, be accredited to this increase in travel delegates that attended the event, as well as the array of great networking opportunities that were available for buyers to take advantage of.
The three main Speed Networking sessions, which allowed Exhibitors to meet with WTM Latin America Hosted Buyers, WTM Latin America Buyers Club Members and Embratur Buyers, acted as a catalyst for a number of big money deals.
Carolina Osorio, Senior Executive from Meridian Tours, a Turkish exhibitor that has attended all four shows commented: “The networking sessions are extremely productive because everyone respects the time between one meeting and another. It is great to have time and space entirely dedicated to doing business. I have had good feedback from buyers and met with more than 15 professionals during the session.”
Lucy Hillyard, Sales Manager of Historic Royal Palaces, an independent charity that unites five historical monuments in the UK held meetings with 15 professionals in approximately 25 minutes. “It was very productive, I met with many new and current contacts and operators,” Hillyard said.
The success of the show was also highlighted in the feedback received from Exhibitors and more than 30% of the exhibition floor is already intended to be re-booked for 2017.
The likes of Bolshoi Tourism, HIS Travel and Celestyal Cruises have already booked their space for WTM Latin America 2017 which will be taking place at Expo Centre Norte, Sao Paulo between the 4 – 6 April.
Lawrence Reinisch, Exhibition Director, WTM Latin America commented: “We’re absolutely delighted with the visitor increase we’ve seen compared to last year and the year before. These figures demonstrate the power and importance of WTM Latin America to the industry and the role it plays in facilitating business for the sector.
“The fantastic feedback we have received from all involved and the number of exhibitors intending to re-book their stand for 2017 is extremely positive, putting WTM Latin America in a very good position moving forward.”
