35th edition of Cancun Travel Mart wraps up
IAN STALKER
Cancun and environs have just engaged in some show and tell. Cancun played host to the Oct. 11-13 Cancun Travel Mart — the 35th edition of the long-running show — enabling the tourism trades in it and several nearby communities to update those who send tourists to the Caribbean Sea-fronting region on all that’s happening there tourism-wise. The show is seen as a further boost to the tourism trade in an already hugely popular part of the world.
“This year, with approximately 3,000 business appointments scheduled, we have registered more than 100 companies with 200 buyer-delegates — tour operators from sending markets to the Mexican Caribbean — from 16 countries: Germany, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Israel, Peru, United Arab Emirates, United States, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom, as well as 86 suppliers with 240 delegates: hotels, resorts, incoming agencies, destination promotion and government organizations, as well as suppliers of travel services in Mexico,” Jesus Almaguer, president of the Hotel Association of Cancun, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres said during an Oct. 12 speech.
Almaguer said the association — which represents an area famed for its white-sand beaches — is this year developing the Sustainable Hospitality Communication Plan, highlighting practices, certifications and activities that hotels and allied members can use to boost sustainable tourism, and even measuring Cancun Travel Mart’s footprint and then assisting an area reef restoration project to ensure that the show was a carbon neutral event. He added that those working in tourism are continuing to boost the region’s profile.
“We have reinforced the promotion of the Mexican Caribbean in conjunction with official organizations such as caravans, familiarization trips, seminars and training for travel agents,” he continued. “We also maintain close relationships and communication with the authorities of the three levels of government to highlight the importance of the markets… We continue working on conveying the importance of streamlining immigration procedures, as well as using technology to make visa processes more efficient to maintain the loyalty they have had for the Mexican Caribbean for years.”
Almaguer later told Travel Courier that Cancun Travel Mart is “very valuable. This gives us the opportunity for success.” Almaguer said his association represents a region that “is the only destination in the Caribbean that offers three destinations in one — the Caribbean, Mexico and the Maya culture.” The region is also unrivalled in the Caribbean when it comes to the number of activities offered, he added.
Canadians account for a large number of Quintana Roo visitors but Almaguer added his destination is courting tourists from many parts of the world. “Our main markets are all,” he said. “Every market is important, even if it produces only one tourist.”
Among exhibitors was Sanjay Kopalkar, Director of Sales and Business Development for Canada Jetlines, who praised the show as a “great opportunity to connect with suppliers, tour operators and technology partners. It does give you exposure to the region.”
Canada Jetlines is now linking Toronto and Cancun and plans five flights a week between the destinations by early 2024. Another show participant was Lia Coutinho of Rio de Janeiro’s EZLINK, which sends clients to Cancun.
She praised Cancun for having the likes of great restaurants and shopping, adding it has “everything tourists want to see and buy.”
