On the eve of its sixth edition, WTM Latin America, the main event for the tourism and travel industry in Latin America, gathered yesterday (13) leaders of the tourist trade to present the news of the event that takes place between 3 and 5 April, at the Expo Center Norte in São Paulo.

Fernando Fischer, president of Reed Exhibitions Alcantara Machado, opened the meeting highlighting the strength of the company, worldwide responsible for 500 events in 43 countries, serving 43 sectors of the economy and bringing together more than 7 million visitors. “WTM is one of the best examples we have in the company because it shows us how to leverage our global strength. Bringing together qualified visitors and exhibitors eager to do business is our focus, “he said, adding that,” this year we are projecting growth at all of our events. ”

Alongside Fischer, Luciane Leite, director of WTM Latin America presented the challenges and news of the 2018 edition of the event. “Over the past few months, we’ve been studying and listening to the market. We will present an event with a lot of innovation and news, which was possible thanks to strategic alliances such as those presented here today, “he said.

Among the strategic partners present at the meeting were Giovana Jannuzzelli, manager of ALAGEV; Michael Barkoczy, President of Flytour Travel MMT; and Danielle Clouzet Roman, CEO of Interamerican Network South America.

One of the news announced by Luciane Leite is the Corporate Tourism Program, which has the forum formed by TMG, Abracorp, GBTA, ALAGEV – in addition to the support of the airline Avianca, responsible for the arrival of 50 travel managers from all over Brazil.

Giovana Jannuzzelli, manager of ALAGEV, when questioned about the strategic importance of the corporate in the industry, was blunt: “the corporate is, yes, inserted in tourism in general. Increasingly destinations are sought after for corporate events and travel. ” The entity, which gathers travel managers and events in Latin America, will have its own agenda on April 5 – the remaining days will be dedicated to TMG and Abracorp (day 3) and GBTA (day 4).

The return of destinations Costa Rica, Ecuador and Mato Grosso do Sul, which were not exhibited at events in Brazil since 2014, were also highlighted during the press conference. In addition, the expansion of booths in destinations such as Argentina, Turkey and Foz do Iguaçu, as well as the debut of Ilhabela and the presence of practically all destinations in South America were valued.

Complementing the news, Luciane Leite reinforced the importance of listening to the market. “We have received the demand and created spaces to attend exhibitors of medium and small sizes in technology and lodging, as well as destination companies that are not exhibitors,” he said, referring respectively to the Travel Tech Pavillion, Hospitality and Destination Pavillion spaces .

Tour Operators Area

A space dedicated to tour operators, the Tour Operators Area has 25 confirmed national companies – as well as another 15 international companies in the pavilion. “We have always done a job with the operators. The difference is that this year we are even closer, “says Luciane.

Michael Barkoczy, president of Flytour Travel MMT, operator and one of the strategic partners in the action, said that “there is a great synergy between us. While the event speaks to the B2B audience, we talk to B2C. WTM Latin America is an excellent opportunity to talk to each of the 600 exhibitors, in the same space “, Barkoczy adds.

700 agents from all over Brazil

With 36 road and air routes, Interamerican Network South America, partner of the Caravans, expects to gather 700 agents from all over Brazil. “In just one week we celebrate the mark of more than 300 registrations made. We have greatly diversified the opportunities and our expectation is to surpass the challenge brought to us by WTM Latin America, “says Danielle Clouzet Roman, CEO of Interamerican Network South America. The executive presented the destinations that already have confirmed caravans: Belo Horizonte and Uberlândia (MG), Brasília (DF), Campo Grande (MT), Curitiba, Londrina, Maringá and Foz do Iguaçu (PR), Florianópolis (SC), Cuiabá MS), Belém (PA), Fortaleza (CE), Goiânia (GO), João Pessoa (PB), Maceió (AL), Aracaju (PB), Manaus (AM), Natal (RN), Palmas (RS), Salvador (BA), Recife (PE), Teresina (PI), Vitória (ES), Rio de Janeiro (RJ), and the interior of São Paulo, with cities such as Presidente Prudente.

Content & Innovation

A partner in content and innovation, Omnibees will launch at Omnibees Academy during the event. “In addition to supporting us as a business, we are investing in the training and transformation of the tourism trade,” said Melanie Teixeira, partner and director of the company.

Recognized also for offering content relevant to the market, in addition to lectures and debates that promote reflection on the challenges of the sector, WTM Latin America will have its agenda complemented by five sessions of Speed ​​Networking during the event.

The first day will be dedicated to the Speed ​​Networking session between TMG (Travel Managers Group) corporate travel managers and exhibitors at the Corporate Travel Area, from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. On the same day, Embratur hosts a session between Hosted Buyers and Brazilian exhibitors from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., exclusively.

On the second day, the first Speed ​​Networking session, from 10:30 am to noon, will feature 100 buyers, including Hosted Buyers and members of WTM Buyers’ Club prepared to host all WTM Latin America exhibitors. Also on the 4th will be the Digital Influencers ‘Speed ​​Networking, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, which will feature 30 digital influencers to promote exhibitors’ destinations and products to their millions of followers.

On the last day, WTM Latin America offers another Speed ​​Networking session between 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., also in the Networking Area.

WTM Latin America 2018 will be held from April 3 to 5 at the Expo Center Norte in São Paulo and aims to attract about 9,000 unique senior executives. The event generates about $ 374 million in new business.

Photo: Simon Mayle, Director of ILTM Americas and Latin America – Melanie Teixeira, Managing Partner of Omnibees – Danielle Roman, CEO of Interamerican Network – Fernando Fischer, Reed Exhibitions Alcântara Machado – Luciane Leite, Director of WTM Latin America – Giovana Jannuzzelli, ALAGEV Manager – Thais Del Ben, WTM Latin America Marketing Manager – Michael Barkoczy, President of Flytour Travel MMT. / Credit: Press release