Promote Latin America to the world and bring the world to Latin America.

This is the key concept of WTM Latin America – the most international tourism event in the Americas - which is approaching its third edition and will take place from April 22nd-24th at the Expo Center Norte in Sao Paulo.

Last year more than $341 million was transacted in contracts signed during and after the event.

With further growth predicted for 2015, more visitor interest than ever and this year’s event receiving huge amounts of support from travel associations across the continent, it’s looking to be the biggest and best yet, reinforcing the events respect and importance within the industry.

Among trade associations supporting the event is the Federation of Tourism Enterprises of Chile (FEDETUR), participating for the first time at WTM Latin America.

The association was established in 2009 to represent the private tourism sector and develop, together with the government, the tourism potential of the country through public policies, laws and other actions.

Eugenio Yunis, executive vice president of FEDETUR, explained: “FEDETUR supports WTM Latin America because the Exhibition has secured its position as the leading business tourism event on the continent.

“In addition to operating as an important meeting point between the various tourist attractions, many of which are in constant growth in Latin America, and the event attracts the buyers coming from Europe, North America and Asia. Also because WTM Latin America takes place in São Paulo, Brazil, this is very significant for Chile.”

As well as FEDETUR in Chile, many other associations are supporting WTM Latin America.

Argentina, for example, will be bring the Argentine Association of Travel and Tourism Operators (AAOVYT), with their main objective being to improve and help the relationship between the main service providers and its members.

AAOVYT also represents its associates in any similar activities in Argentina as well as internationally.

Also participating in the event are the Peruvian Association of Inbound and Internal Tourism Operators (APOTUR) – set up for the purpose of helping to develop the tourism sector in Peru.

Its membership is made up of the leading inbound and internal tourism operators at the national and regional level, who contribute to the sector’s growth.

At present APOTUR includes the best known Peruvian inbound and internal tourism operators.

The association intends to increase its membership so as to include other companies in the tourism sector together with domestic and international bodies.

AVEMAREP, the Venezuelan Association of wholesalers, are another to support WTM Latin America. Currently its membership comprises of around 50 of the leading companies in the country.

Their aim is to assist international suppliers, destinations, hotels and wholesalers that want to market themselves in Venezuela.

Lawrence Reinisch, exhibition director WTM Latin America, said: “Having the support of important development associations such as these is very welcome at WTM Latin America and is a great advantage for us.

“No doubt these partnerships will bring even more visibility to WTM Latin America on the continent, which contributes not only to the growth of the fair but also the greater integration between the tourist markets of Brazil and neighbouring countries - which, consequently, move and shake the industry and the economy.”