In 2013, Latin American (visitors from Mexico, Central, South America & the Caribbean) generated a record 21.5 million visitors of the record 69.8 million arrivals, over 30% of all visitors to the country.
Latin arrivals were up 57%
Spending by all Latin countries generated a record $45.4 billion of the record $181 billion spent by international travelers, up 114% since 2003.
By 2018, the new National Travel & Tourism Office forecast for Latin visitors projects that arrivals may reach 25.4 million visitors, up 18% over 2013. South America will again lead the growth for arrivals from this region increasing by 43% over the five year period.
Much of this growth is fed by the changing population of the USA, which is now the second largest Spanish speaking country in the world. VFR (visiting friends and relatives), business and commercial / technical travel (meetings, conventions, etc.) and leisure travel (tourism) are driven by deeply rooted relationships and extended family.
Recognizing the strong role relationships play in the business of travel, La Cita de las Americas was successfully launched last year with strong support from Brand USA and other major US travel organizations. A representative from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Travel & Tourism Office will also be at the trade show and deliver a presentation on the latest market intelligence on the Latin American market to the country. Hear about the latest trends in arrivals, spending, and traveler characteristics data including the destinations visited by Latin visitors, along with their forecast to help understand the changing Latin market to the country.
La Cita is where the Latin American travel community meets face-to-face: The right buyers. The right sellers. The right match.
This year’s event will be in Miami, Capital of the Americas, Sep 2-4, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Miami Airport Convention Center. This two-day event will focus on building relationships and partnerships to grow inbound travel from Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Attendance is by invitation. To learn more or to begin registration, go to: http://www.lacitaamericas.com/
“La Cita helps buyers and sellers develop strong, business-producing relationships, with people they trust and is designed for attendees to engage LATAM travel’s key decision-makers,” La Cita’s Managing Director, Rick Still.
