In 2016, despite some challenges, visitors from Latin America (Mexico, Central, South America & the Caribbean) generated a record 27.0 million visitors of the 75.9 million international arrivals to the United States, nearly 36% of all visitors to the country. Latin American arrivals are up 435% since 2007. Within Latin America, the countries of South America represent the growth area for the region, up 133% since 2007. As a region, Latin America is larger than the arrivals from Canada orany of the other world regions.
Spending in the United States by all Latin countries in 2016 generated $60 billion of the $245 billion spent by international travelers, and Latin spending is up 58% since 2007. Total travel & tourism exports account for 33% of all services exports for the United States.
Looking at the big picture, South and Central America collectively account for 56% of U.S. services exports and Mexico’s share of all services exports was 63%. These figures reflect the strength the United States has in the services sector, and you should want a part of it.
Successfully doing business in the Latin America region is about building and sustaining relationships. In Latin America, business is conducted with trusted colleagues, based upon relationships and experience. This powerful market force is rooted in the uncertain economies and the generations of tradition where loyalties exist to survive good times and bad.
Taking place in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida from September 4 to September 6, 2018, La Cita is not a trade show where suppliers stand in a booth, or walk around a pavilion hoping to meet potential clients to introduce their products or services. It’s a two-day event with thirty pre-scheduled appointments (15-minutes each) held in participating suppliers' offices (equipped with furniture, Wi-Fi and electricity as part of the registration package). Think of it as speed-dating among travel professionals where everyone knows who they are going to meet in advance.
Latin American buyer delegates include MICE (meeting, incentive, convention and exhibition), wholesalers and large retail travel agencies that handle leisure, VFR, and corporate travel. Travel media, representation companies, U.S. Embassy staff, air carriers, research companies and other business development components also participate.
“La Cita helps all of our delegates develop strong, future business-producing relationships, with trust,” said Rick Still, Managing Director, La Cita, “if you want to get stronger in the Latin American market, La Cita is the most efficient investment you can make. To learn more, visit the La Cita Americas website.
NTTO participates in La Cita’s one-on-one meetings and delivers a presentation on current market intelligence on the Latin American market. Participants can learn about the latest trends in arrivals, spending, and traveler characteristics data including the destinations visited by the 2017 Latin American visitors. The presentation will also include a forecast for international travel for 2017-2022 to help businesses understand the changing Latin market to the United States, as well as how to use this data to be more effective in the marketplace.
For more information on international arrivals, spending, traveler characteristics and the forecast, please visit the NTTO Inbound Travel to the U.S. page.
