TRAVELWEEK BY ILTM
4THEDITION CLOSES WITH 25,000 BUSINESS APPOINTMENTS OVER 4 DAYS
The international luxury travel community was part of the 4thedition of Travelweek Sao Paulo and the first edition managed by the global luxury travel team behind ILTM. Set in the Bienal Pavilion at Ibirqpuera Park and designed by renowned architect Oscar Niemeyer, Travelweek was created to satisfy the demand for knowledge and information on the world’s diverse luxury travel industry to support the growing number of high net worth individuals and families who live throughout Brazil – the size of a continent.
The demand for a presence at this year’s event fueled a growth of 7% over 2013 with 636 exhibitors taking part, of which 197 were at Travelweek for the first time. Starwood had 32 of its St Regis, Luxury Collection and W brands present, Fasano Hotel Group launched new hotels in Salvador and Belo Horizonte, Oetker Collection and Explora were present and The Peninsula Paris were first time exhibitors. Faena Hotels, Como Hotels and Swire Hotels, behind the Upper House brand, were all promoting their new properties in Miami.
Nancy Ricozzi, Commercial Director, The Peninsula Paris said, “It’s my first Travelweek and I’m finding it very interesting. We have had high quality appointments and I’ve already had some requests!”
Caroline Courteau, Director of Sales, Lungarno Collection (Portrait Firenze) added: “Travelweek for me is one of the most important appointments of the year to meet with agents from South America. I’ve been coming since the first edition!”
“There is no doubt that Brazil is leading one of the world’s boom travel regions. We were delighted to see buyers from 27 Brazilian cities joining 650 other top agents from throughout the country and South America, of which 100 were attending for the first time. It is clear that the wealth in Brazil is wide spread and Travelweek is the only event that brings these individual’s personal agents and planners to Sao Paulo for the week”. Said Alison Gilmore ILTM Portfolio Director.
“There is no doubt that Brazil is leading one of the world’s boom travel regions. We were delighted to see buyers from 27 Brazilian cities joining 650 other top agents from throughout the country and South America, of which 100 were attending for the first time. It is clear that the wealth in Brazil is wide spread and Travelweek is the only event that brings these individual’s personal agents and planners to Sao Paulo for the week”. Said Alison Gilmore ILTM Portfolio Director.
Milly Alva Haimberger, Director of Sales & Marketing, Aqua Expeditions, who also attends ILTM in Cannes and ILTM Americas said: “I’ve been attending Travelweek for the past 3 years and I love it. The quality of buyers are perfect for what we do. It’s here I meet with the Top, Top, Top, Brazilian buyers!”
But it wasn’t all about statistics and business, Travelweek brought the Brazilian effect to the week with welcome cocktails, coconut water served every day, a relaxed Havainas Friday as well as Caipirinha and Samba at the now famous White Party at Hotel Unique.
“We were delighted with our first Travelweek Sao Paulo experience and it is a perfect addition to our global ILTM luxury travel portfolio of events which now span 5 continents. With the wealthy travelling outside of their country and increasing in number year on year, the luxury brands present were able to provide a real choice of new experiences to supplement the buyers future plans for their clients. With $US 25b being estimated spend on travel outside of Brazil in 2013 alone this represents a 100% increase in just the last 4 years.
We see Travelweek Sao Paulo as a serious opportunity for international exhibitors in the future as this surge in outbound business opportunities continue to grow.” Said Alison Gilmore.
“With ILTM at the helm of Travelweek Sao Paulo, we are going to build on what we already have as a unique event, evolve it under the expertise and international presence of the ILTM team and Simon Mayle leading the team based in Sao Paulo.” added Carolina Perez, Founder of Travelweek.
The next edition of Travelweek Sao Paulo will take place 5 – 8 May 2015 and Travelweek Rio de Janeiro 22 – 25 October 2014. For more information visit www.travelweeksaopaulo.com