MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Travel Mart Latinamerica meets next week in Quito

Quito, Ecuador will be hosting this year's edition of Travel Mart Latin America scheduled for next September 10/11/12.

Considered the most important business development event of the year for Latin America Tourism it is attended by "Buyers" of Tourism Products and Services from global markets, and "Suppliers" representing every country in the region. The event has earned a reputation for "quality" and "results" since it was inaugurated since 1978. For the coming 2008 edition almost 850 tourism professionals have been confirmed, with most buyers from United States, Canada and Europe. This is the second time Quito, nested in the Andes, has been chosen to host the international gathering and according to Travel Mart organizer W. H. Coleman Inc. CEO Bill Coleman, the city was chosen because of its "extraordinary proposals for buyers and tourism diversity". With this in mind organizers have prepared 36 different tours to different areas of Ecuador, which will be presented by 16 Ecuadorian operators with special prices for the participants in the business rounds. According to Quito's tourism office operator Amparo Roldos "this is an excellent opportunity for Ecuador's tourism industry and to promote new options and destinations". "Innovation is the key word in tourism and this also involves sustainability, conservation and community development, as travelers become increasingly aware of the fragility of our global environment", added Ms Roldos. According to the organizers attendance is carefully monitored to maintain a productive business "balance" of Buyers and Suppliers, and the Schedule of Events provides for two days of business sessions. Quito's metropolitan mayor Paco Moncayo Gallegos sent a welcome letter to Buyers wishing them "a productive and fruitful stay" underlining the cultural heritage of the city and millions invested in infrastructure and a new airport.