ILTM Americas to Showcase Luxury Travel Clients, Developers, Editors Jul 24th 2013, 11:04
ILTM Americas, set for Sept. 30-Oct. 3 in Riviera Maya, Mayakoba, Mexico, will feature a series of panels focusing on luxury travel clients, luxury travel developers in Latin America and luxury travel editors. The event will bring together 300 luxury travel buyers from the Americas and 300 luxury travel buyers from around the world in a series of seminars, general sessions and one-on-one meetings.
Gabriel Duque, vice minister of foreign trade for Colombia, will begin the Opening Forum of ILTM Americas on Sept. 30 at the Fairmont Mayakoba with an economic and political overview of Latin America, exploring its evolution, current state and predictions for the region’s economies in the short and longer term.
That will be followed by a “Meet the Client” panel on Sept. 30 will serve as a platform for the global luxury travel industry to hear first hand about the dreams, desires and concerns of high net worth clients from the Americas in live conversations with their travel advisors. The panel will feature Stacy Small of Elite Travel International in the U.S. and her client Nick Heyman, and Tania Lebrija Swasbrook of Travelworld of Coronado and her Mexican-based client Sergio Diaz, who will be interviewed by Javier Arredondo. Founding partner of Travesias, Mexico’s luxury lifestyle magazine.
“Having attended ILTM events for a number of years, I am convinced that the advice and expertise shared by the fellow high-level travel advisors whom I meet at any ILTM is one of the most valuable takeaways from each event,” said Small. “I am delighted that my client and I can be part of this innovative ‘client-advisor relationship’ feature and look forward to learning still more from those also sharing the platform.”
The “Meet the Client” session will be followed by a panel discussion focusing on “Developing Latin America” and featuring high profile brands that are developing luxury travel across Latin America. Featured panelists include Jack Horne, senior vice president of Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, and Paul James, global brand leader for St. Regis, W Hotels and The Luxury Collection. They will discuss their views on the strategic development of the region’s inbound luxury tourism markets, but also capitalizing on the opportunities presented by its emerging outbound markets.
“Today Latin America is illustrative of the trends that we are seeing around the world, including rising wealth and greater global connectivity, which have fueled new demand for travel and a new type of Latin American traveler who demands a more luxurious experience,” said James. “As a result, we are seeing an ever greater affinity for Starwood’s luxury brands amongst this group as well as a strong demand for new hotel development across our portfolio. With 80 percent of Starwood’s global growth coming from emerging markets, we consider Latin America to be one of the most dynamic tourism markets in the world and a strategic priority for the entire company.”
In addition, some of the world’s most influential luxury travel editors will set the scene for inspiration and innovation at ILTM’s first ‘Meet the Editors’ seminar session. The panel will feature Maria Shollenbarger, travel editor of the FT’s “How to Spend it in the U.K.”; Nilou Motamed, features editor at Travel + Leisure in the U.S.; and Maria Pellicer, editor of Mexico’s Travesias magazine.
This second edition of ILTM Americas, which is staged by International Luxury Travel Market, will follow the established ILTM format matching hosted luxury travel agents from across North, South and Central America with luxury travel buyers. The business of ILTM Americas will take place over the following three days with up to 69 pre-scheduled appointments between each buyer and supplier. A detailed program of social networking activities is also on the schedule. To take part in ILTM Americas, email Simon Mayle at simon.mayle@reedexpo.co.uk.
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