Embratur, which is responsible for promoting Brazilian destinations in the international market, is involved with an innovative action at the B2B trade event.

Embratur and Braztoa are this year promoting a Hosted Buyers’ programme (invited international buyers) at WTM Latin America, the leading global event for the Latin American travel industry, which will be held between 23 and 25 April at Transamerica Expo Center, in São Paulo, at the same time as the 41st edition of the Braztoa Business Meeting.

The independent agency of the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism is responsible for promoting national destinations and tourist services abroad, and will have as many as 50 professionals at the event, selected by Brazilian Tourism Offices (EBTs) from more than 12 countries that have been defined as target markets by the government.

“We thank Embratur for its partnership in this edition. It’s undoubtedly going to add a lot to the project. This programme is extremely important, because the travel agencies that have been invited are potential buyers of “destination Brazil”. Moreover, it’s an excellent opportunity to introduce tour operators and create relationships and stronger ties”, says the president of BRAZTOA, Marco Ferraz.

“These are highly specialised professionals, who’ll be able to contribute to the fair’s mission in an effective manner: promoting Latin America to the world and bringing the world to Latin America, by presenting the region as an active investor in creating a new infrastructure for the travel and tourism sector”, says Lawrence Reinisch, Director of WTM Latin America. “Embratur’s interest in the model strengthens our conviction that the fair is the right path and opens up more and more business channels between sector companies in Brazil and the world”, concludes Reinisch.

Embratur’s programme adds professionals to the Hosted Buyers programme of WTM Latin America 2014 itself, which will have as many as 150 professionals from the Tourism and Leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Congresses and Exhibitions) segments. They will take part in an extensive set of activities and meetings during the three days of the event, thus creating new business opportunities.