CONFERENCE NEWS Lata Expo 2022: Latin American experts discuss issues facing the sector at London exhibition


Lata chiefs target more direct flights L


Robin Murray


atin America tourism chiefs are targeting greater direct airlift and increased trade awareness in the UK as the


region reopens after the pandemic. Ministers from Colombia, Belize


and Ecuador joined tour operators including Journey Latin America and Pura Aventura and industry experts to discuss how Latin America can promote itself more effectively. They agreed connectivity to Latin


America was one of the key barriers facing the region and called on airlines to provide more direct flights. Speaking during the panel


discussion at Lata Expo 2022, held at Battersea Evolution in London last week, Steppes Travel product and sales director Jarrod Kyte said: “We


Jose Puyana, ProColombia


all know flights out of the UK are a pain and that connectivity is key. The market wants convenience. “We can all lobby BA for more


flights, but we also know the airline industry is in a state of flux at the moment and things aren’t going to change quickly on that front.” Kyte added that destinations must


‘Costs and staffing are big challenges’


Natalie Marsh


The cost-of-living crisis and staff shortages are among the biggest challenges facing the travel industry and its recovery, according to Latin American specialists. Speakers at a View from the


Top session at the Lata Expo trade exhibition also said rising fuel prices would cause problems. Colin Stewart, Lata chairman


and country director at Air Europa, said the impact of higher jet fuel costs had yet to be fully felt by airlines that had hedged their


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purchases, but predicted the impact would come soon. “This is just the way it is moving


with food, energy and petrol prices rising, and the aviation industry is not an exception to that,” he said. “It will feed its way through


if the situation stays the same, but you’re probably not seeing significant rises because airlines are still managing hedged fuel.” Sarah Bradley, managing director


at Journey Latin America, agreed rising prices had yet to filter through. “Anyone who is booked to travel now, and even current bookings, are


getting a really good deal,” she said. “Everyone worked hard to keep


confidence up and keep people travelling, and partners throughout the supply chain worked to hold their prices, but the inflationary pressures are such that they are going to come.” Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell,


co-owner of tailor-made specialist cazenove+loyd, agreed rising costs would be a challenge for both businesses and consumers,


but said a more immediate issue was providing a quality customer experience. “The issues we’ve got are more about staffing and standards,” he said. James Goller, co-founder of


Viaventure, said rising numbers of requests were resulting in a need to hire more staff. “We’re starting to look for sales


staff, but some of the sales staff we let go have already found jobs and are happy in other industries,” he added.


travelweekly.co.uk


find “pragmatic solutions” while connectivity to Latin America is low, such as targeting the luxury market. “What’s key is that we target a


part of the market that we know will be able to cope with some of the challenges we have in terms of connectivity,” he said. “I’m talking about the higher-end


Sarah Bradley, Journey Latin America; Jutta Zenner, South American Tours; James Goller, Viaventure; Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell, cazenove+loyd; and Colin Stewart, Air Europa


market; the cash-rich and time-rich clients who can spend that little bit extra and can be flexible in terms of when they depart.” Concerns over lack of connectivity


were echoed during the round-table debate by Latin Routes co-founder Martin Johnson, who described it as a “real issue”. Johnson stressed another barrier


to overcome was a “lack of awareness and education” about Latin America among the UK trade, but said an increasing number of agents were starting to learn more about the product and were finding it “exciting”. Jose Puyana, UK and European


director of ProColombia, said “Latin American destinations are closer than people think” and tourist boards needed to do more to promote this message to trade partners and clients.


PICTURES: Steve Dunlop


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