NEWS
Lata Expo 2021: Europe’s largest Latin America trade show was held virtually last week with the theme ‘Ready for Restart’ and its first travel agent programme. By T
Latin America specialists buoyed by reduced red list
T
he Latin American Travel Association (Lata) has described the removal of much of the region from
the UK’s red list as a “huge relief”, but said it was still pressing to discover the rationale for retaining seven nations, all of which are in Latin America, on the list. Lata chairman Colin Stewart said
changes to the red list were “a huge relief to many of our travel partners, especially those who are Latin America specialists and haven’t been able to trade at all for many months”. He added: “We are delighted that
progress has been made. We still, however, want to seek clarity on the criteria used to decide the remaining countries on the red list. “Based on the data we have, we
don’t understand the justification for some of these destinations being included on this list. It’s also a shame that this decision was not taken earlier, before the end of furlough.” Stewart said the Ready for
Restart theme of Lata Expo was “a no-brainer” based on the impact of UK government restrictions on the region. In addition to meetings and
business sessions, this year’s Lata Expo included its first travel agent programme, which Stewart said reflected the importance of agents to the association and its desire
ravel Weekly reporters Mexico’s Riviera
Colin Stewart
to expand its agent engagement activities. He lauded the success of agent
initiatives including a series of ‘six-minute snapshot’ videos. “It’s been an eye-opener for them
to see in situ the fantastic array of product and offering available to them for selling Latin America,” he said. “It’s something that we’re glad we did. Engagement has been great, and we’re absolutely going to continue that moving forward.” The association also plans to run
roadshows for agents in 2022. And Stewart vowed to continue
Lata’s lobbying role, in collaboration with other associations and suppliers. “I think we realised we do have a
voice but actually it’s a louder voice when we come together,” he said.
Suppliers target bounce-back despite smaller teams
Latin America specialists bemoaned the loss of knowledge and resources during the pandemic, but are confident businesses can bounce back as the region reopens. Speaking at Lata Expo, Sarah Bradley, managing
director of Journey Latin America, said the end of the furlough scheme did not cause mass redundancies because “businesses made steep cuts earlier on”. However, she added: “People have been incredibly
resilient and that does take its toll. We sacrificed hundreds of years of accrued knowledge last year.” Colin Stewart, country
director for Air Europa, said his team had been reduced from 10 to six. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief
executive of Advantage Travel Partnership, said
10 21 OCTOBER 2021
trading remained “very tough” but that agents had an opportunity to show their worth. She said: “The travel agent community has a huge opportunity to step in and help customers. This is now their time to shine.” Clive Jacobs, chairman of Travel Weekly parent
company Jacobs Media Group and owner of North American agency Tully Luxury Travel, agreed agents had been “remarkable” throughout the pandemic, adding: “Now is the opportunity of a lifetime for agents.”
Clockwise from top left: Caroline Moultrie, MMGY Hills Balfour; Lee Hayhurst, Travel Weekly; Sarah Bradley, Journey Latin America; Julia Lo Bue-Said, Advantage; Colin Stewart, Air Europa; and Clive Jacobs, Jacobs Media Group
Nayarit adds hotels The opening of a wave of new properties has expanded luxury accommodation options along Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. Recent additions include Conrad Punta de Mita and One&Only Mandarina, Dreams Bahia Mita Surf & Spa, Secrets Bahia Mita Surf & Spa Resort and the world’s first all-inclusive Delta Hotels by Marriott.
Quark confirms Antarctica schedule
Quark Expeditions has announced a revised launch
date for 199-passenger vessel Ultramarine, which will begin a season of 10 Antarctica sailings on November 25. The line is operating a “consolidated” programme with just one vessel instead of four, but UK business development manager Andrew Schweitzer said forward bookings were “really positive”.
Lata Foundation offers Xmas vouchers
The Lata Foundation has started a Christmas fundraising campaign offering gift vouchers worth £5, £10 or £20, with proceeds going to community projects in Latin America. Operator and agent partners can white-label the voucher scheme for clients. Recent projects have included buying PPE for 125 doctors in Venezuela and supporting midwives in Guatemala. Find out more at
latafoundation.org.
Chile to ease entry
rules from November Chile is set to lift the requirement for fully-vaccinated travellers to quarantine on arrival from November 1. Visitors must still show proof of a negative PCR test in the 72 hours before travel, and take another PCR test on arrival at the airport, after which they should await the result at their accommodation.
travelweekly.co.uk
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