With Mexico boasting the world’s seventh fastest growing market in terms of luxury good sales in 2015 and North America predicted to see the one of the biggest regional growths in luxury travel through 2025, the fifth edition of the region’s leading luxury travel event - ILTM Americas - took place last week in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
Some 15,000 one-to-one luxury business-generating meetings took place between 300 hand-picked designers, agents and buyers of elite travel from Mexico and North America and 300 exhibitors representing the world’s most luxurious products, destinations and experiences.
Simon Mayle, Event Manager of ILTM Americas commented:
“ILTM Americas invites and hosts the most exclusive of the region’s luxury travel agents. The US market is the second highest spending market globally growing 9% in 2015 to US$120 billion although Mexico has one of the most promising growth potentials, with consumer expenditure forecast to grow on average by 3.6% per year from 2015-2030 in real terms. This buoyant optimism from both source markets was evident throughout ILTM Americas 2016 – our largest edition to date.”
Exhibitors included both established brands as well as smaller independent properties from across the world, who also met with not only agents but a bespoke selection of the Americas’ most reputed luxury travel media.
Yurij Gabassi, Operations Manager, Hotel Esencia said: “I think the buyers’ selection is outstanding and also different from last year. ILTM gives us the unique experience of being close to the buyers and a new market. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet with clients that otherwise would take us years to meet.”
“It is a fabulous event; great format, great clients - the Belmond team was very, very happy,” said Annette Kishon-Pines, Regional Director of Sales, The Americas - Belmond.
Samantha Steckbeck, Vice President, Sales The Americas, The Oberoi Group commented: “This is my third time attending ILTM Americas and I think this edition was the best: my appointments truly helped me build relationships that will generate business opportunities for all involved.”
Matthias Kaesweber, Vice President Sales & Marketing - The Set Hotels also commented: “Mexico is a leading market with significant business potential for Set Hotels. As such, we have taken part in all five editions of ILTM Americas to date and will continue to do so: the event evolves every year to the extent that the quality of the buyers – and number of new contacts we meet - is now truly exceptional.”
And Glenn Carroll, Vice President Commercial, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts said: “This was an excellent event for InterContinental Hotels - we brought 11 hotels to a dedicated room at ILTM Americas, where most saw about 90% new clients - a very effective use of their time and budget. We also used the event as a platform to introduce new hotels to buyers and promote the brand to the exceptional list of media present. There is no doubt we will return in 2017.”
The hosted buyers from across the Americas were also effusive in their praise:
Meg Austin, Independent travel consultant, The Travel Society, Denver said: “ILTM Americas grew up, it is not a kid anymore, it is an adult and now we are looking at barefoot elegance surrounded by greatness. All the exhibitors are wonderful. It is a very dynamic event with ever-changing content and everything works like clockwork.”
“From my point of view, the selection of exhibitors is wonderful, they have variety, also very professional and kind. I am really satisfied with the event and I think that the investment of time and money is worth it,” said Juan Carlos Ortiz, Manager of Personal VIP trips, BCD Travel, Mexico.
ILTM Americas will return to the Fairmont Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, Mexico from 25 – 28 September 2017. For further information, please visitwww.iltm.com/americas.
