The Global Convention provided a wide variety of educational opportunities to almost 1000 US-based travel advisors as well as the chance to meet one-on-one with top suppliers during a well-attended trade show, which took place over three days, August 24-26 at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square.
One of the highlights was the panel on sustainability in travel led by ASTA Board Member Marc Casto during the General Session on August 25th. When asked if sustainability was also good for business, Sheree M. Mitchell, official representative of ASTA in Portugal, said “Yes. Absolutely!” She then explained how wealthy and conscious US travelers are willing to pay an additional 15%-20% for verified sustainable luxury travel as long as the services and products met their expectations.
At a later breakout session titled “Sustainable Luxury Travel is Here to Stay. Are You Ready?” Mitchell explained the details of Immersa Global’s successful step-by-step process to attracting more affluent and sustainability-minded travelers to Portugal as well as the types of products and services that local upscale Portuguese suppliers are providing to meet these clients’ needs.
Mitchell also shared some of Turismo de Portugal’s current initiatives to help small local travel businesses implement more sustainable practices within the industry.
The 2023 ASTA Global Convention (AGC) will take place in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino and the Puerto Rico Convention Center, May 2-4, 2023. The event is open to all professionals in the travel industry.
