ILTM Americas is
returning to Mayakoba on the Riviera
Maya, Mexico between 30 September and 3 October.
The
event provides an exclusive opportunity for global
luxury travel suppliers
to develop business with buyers from high spending markets across
the Americas continent such
as Brazil, Mexico, Panama, Chile, Columbia, Venezuela as well as
North America.
The
International Monetary Fund
(IMF)'s World Economic Outlook is forecasting that Latin
America will expand by 3.9% in 2013, anchored by a
3.5% expansion in Mexico and Brazil (Latin America's largest
economy). Research also reveals that 34% of ‘ultra-affluent’
consumers across the US (the world’s largest outbound market) are
reportedly more interested in premium, luxury travel experiences
this year.
ILTM Americas will
welcome 300 elite travel suppliers and host 300 VIP Buyers
for their exclusive benefit, creating significant opportunities to
build luxury travel businesses and luxury travel
communities. Up to 69 pre-scheduled appointments
between each buyer and supplier will take place during the four-day
event, as well as a detailed programme of social networking
activities.
Simon
Mayle, ILTM Head of Marketing and Buyer Programmes commented,
"ILTM Americas is fundamental for all
luxury travel brands who want to take advantage of Central
and South Americas’ robust economic boom. Latin
America is currently maintaining high levels of economic growth,
creating a whole generation of new wealth - Peru in particular has
emerged as one of the fastest growing and most stable economies in
the region, alongside Panama, Chile, Colombia and Bolivia.”
As
one of the buyers who attended the launch edition last year, Paula
Gamas, CFO of ITG (International
Travel Group Mexico), summed up the agent
experience:
“ITG
has been participating in ILTM for nine years; it is an extraordinary
event because of the incredibly high level of networking
opportunities with luxury travel suppliers both known to us
and new. We always meet with the decision makers of each company,
ensuring efficient and effective business. The first
ILTM Americas was very successful: both suppliers and
buyers have had the opportunity to reach out to the highest level of
luxury travel market resources.”
Esteban
Novoa, Sales Manager, Martin Santiago Travel added, "The
organisation of ILTM Americas 2012 was perfect - the
duration of the
interviews, the quality of
the suppliers, and the fantastic end of event evening at Maroma
Beach!"
Last
year’s launch edition of ILTM Americas successfully
welcomed 150 exhibitors and 150 luxury travel buyers,
bringing together the world’s most sought after collection of
international luxury experiences for luxury travel buyers
from North, South and Central America.
Mayle
continued: “74% of buyers who attended ILTM America 2012 had never
been to an ILTM event before, giving exhibitors the opportunity to
identify the new rising stars of luxury travel.”
In
2012, it was reported that Brazil overtook the UK as the 6th largest
economy in the world. Panama remains one of the fastest growing Latin
American countries, with a growth rate of 9.5% in 2012 - a rate
similar to growth rates in India and China. Panama, Chile, Colombia,
Bolivia and Peru achieved expansion rates in 2012 that exceeded the
regional average of 3.5 percent GDP growth.
