ILTM LATIN AMERICA CHALLENGES THE LUXURY TRAVEL INDUSTRY TO UNITE IN DIVERSITY

02 Mar 2020

Event organisers strive for better intercultural dialogue,
a greater understanding of people and a sustainable future for all

"If you change the way you look at people, the people you look at change"

www.iltm.com/latinamerica

5 – 8 May 2020, São Paulo

ILTM Latin America 2020 will bring the global luxury travel industry together to explore building a future through "intercultural dialogue" to prepare to face cultural, economic and environmental challenges together as a global community. Taking place in Sao Paulo, 5 – 8 May, speakers at the ILTM Latin America Opening Ceremony – led by Event Director Simon Mayle - will also commit to the movement to reduce deforestation and restore the forests in the Brazilian Amazon.

"ILTM Latin America will continue the Conscious Travel conversation by bringing speakers that seek a greater understanding of the indigenous peoples, cultures and habitats of the world." Comments Simon Mayle, ILTM Latin America Event Director.

ILTM hosts the agents and planners representing the region’s highest net worth travellers to choose their clients’ global travel plans. The event is pivotal in educating the powerful luxury travel industry, motivating action and building sustainable business.

"If you change the way you look at people, the people you look at change," says Jimmy Nelson, visionary and photographer of indigenous peoples who will address the delegates at the ILTM Latin America Opening Ceremony on 5 May. He suggests that by learning from the world’s last indigenous cultures, we create a deeper connection and healthier balance with each other. A balance he summarises that, "has as much to do with one another as the natural environment we live in. We depend on the natural world for our survival so it demands our utmost respect."

Ben Valks, President of the Black Jaguar Foundation will also address delegates, highlighting the foundation’s work in preserving the Araguaia Biodiversity Corridor in Brazil, the home of ILTM Latin America. The Corridor connects two of the world’s most vital ecosystems: the Amazon rainforest and the Cerrado savanna, and is one of South America’s largest reforestation projects. The Black Jaguar Foundation is a business initiative and ILTM have purchased 650 bags of soap seeds to distribute at the Opening Ceremony - in return, the foundation will plant a tree per ILTM participant in the Araguaia Corridor.

Event Director Simon Mayle will also reveal exclusive research commissioned by ILTM relating to the travel patterns of today's Latin American luxury traveller which reflects the theme of ILTM Latin America – conscious travel. He says: "Latin Americans are discovering their own backyard - having travelled all over the world now more than ever, they are waking up to the beauty on their own doorstep!"

ILTM Latin America welcomes 450 of the world's and Latin America's most luxurious hotels, experiences and destinations. For further information, please contact [email protected] or see www.iltm.com/latinamerica.