ASTA and NTA are pleased to announce that the Mexico Tourism Board has signed on to sponsor the Hispanics in Travel Caucus’ Café con Leche and a panel discussion, “25 Reasons Why Hispanics Are Important in Growing Your Travel Business,” both held in conjunction with ASTA’s Travel Retailing and Destination Expo.

“The Mexico Tourism Board has always been a strong backer of the travel agency community. With its sponsorship of the Café con Leche and panel discussion in Los Angeles, the Tourism Board is not only showing its support of travel agents, but emphasizing the important role that the Hispanic market will continue to play in the travel sector,” said Nina Meyer, CTC, ASTA president and CEO. “We are grateful for their generous support.”

The Café con Leche, which is the product of the NTA-ASTA Hispanic Business Development Task Force, will be held on Sept. 8 from 4 p.m.–5:30 p.m. and feature as a speaker Glenn Llopis, CEO for the Center for Hispanic Leadership. This first-time event will provide leading executives, organizations and thought-leaders involved in the Hispanic tourism market the opportunity to discuss trends, challenges and opportunities in Hispanic tourism and develop plans for better serving the Hispanic travel community.

“The Mexico Tourism Board is proud to support the efforts the task force members are doing to leverage the significance of the Hispanic consumer since the very first meeting during Tianguis Turistico last March in Puerto Vallarta. We strongly believe that the Hispanic market will create more opportunities to increase visitors to Mexico,” said Jose Barquin, director, Mexico Tourism Board/Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Caribbean, and a member of the task force.

In coordination with the Café con Leche, a panel discussion –“25 Reasons Why Hispanics are Important in Growing Your Travel Business” – will be held on Sept. 7 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m. This important panel will highlight why the fastest growing market in the United States needs to be a key part of anyone’s travel marketing plans. Featured presenters at the panel include: Olga Ramudo (moderator), president & CEO, Express Travel and U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board member; Kirk Whisler, president, Latino Print Network; Laura Mandala, managing director, Mandala Research, LLC; Laura Rodriguez Verbera, president & CEO, Marina Tours and Travel; Angel A. Alvarez, regional sales director, Rail Europe; and Gerald A. Fernandez, president, Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Association.

Another opportunity to learn about this flourishing market will be at a second caucus, also sponsored by the Mexico Tourism Board, at Travel Exchange in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 20-24, 2013. Travel Exchange is conducted by NTA and the United Motorcoach Association.

Hispanic travel professionals wishing to nominate an organization or individual to receive a Caucus invitation are asked to contact Olga Ramudo, chair of the Hispanic Business Development Task Force.