Off the back of record growth in 2016, travel focused PR consultancy Lotus has set up Lotus LATAM.

The new division has been created to target specifically the Latin American and Spanish speaking markets.

Lotus LATAM has been created to meet the growth of the Latin American tourism markets which have seen an uplift in recent years spurred on by new direct flights to destinations such as Chile, Costa Rica and Peru and a development of the tourism infrastructure in countries including Colombia and Belize.

Added to this the halo effect created by Rio 2016 and other flagship sporting events, the spotlight is fully focused on Latin America.

Lotus LATAM aims to use its skills and assets to provide an experienced, knowledgeable resource for those looking to promote Latin American tourism in the UK marketplace and beyond.

This growth, alongside Spain’s recent economic recovery, paves the way for new inbound tourism opportunities to Spain and Latin America and the decision will see Lotus’ existing Spanish and Latin America client portfolio aligned under the new brand and the management of Lotus associate director, Kate McWilliams.

She is a fluent Spanish speaker with extensive experience working with the Spanish and Latin American markets.

In the last few years, Lotus has built up its Spanish and Latin American client base and in 2016 alone worked with the Central American Travel Agency, LATAM Airlines Group, the Latin America Travel Association, Quito Tourist Board, Australis Cruises, the Brazilian Embassy, the Balearic Islands, Spain’s Costa Daurada and Costa del Sol, Palladium Hotel Group, Atlantis Hotels, alongside many other Spanish and Latin American tourism clients.

Today 25 per cent of the Lotus workforce speak fluent Spanish and the agency team has spent a substantial amount of time living, working and travelling in Spain and Latin America.

Jules Ugo, managing director at Lotus said: “Given our expertise in this market, our in-depth knowledge and our language skills within the agency, the launch of Lotus LATAM is a natural, but exciting, part of our growth and development as a business.”

Lotus LATAM will offer market specific, pan European or global campaigns working with a worldwide network of independent travel specialists.