22 REGION AMERICAS /
22 REGION AMERICAS / CARIBBEAN Marco Antônio de Britto Lomanto Director of Products and Tourist Destinations for the Brazilian Tourism Board (EMBRATUR) COLOMBIA IS MAGIC REALISM Visitors to Colombia stand are virtually transported to the paradise state Getting the Tourism Ball Rolling in Brazil How the World Cup flow-on effect will change the face of travel in the nation With the World Cup this year in Brazil already registering 6.2 million ticket requests in 203 countries, it is expected that at least 25% of the 600,000 estimated international tourists coming for the event will remain in the country for more than 10 days. Overall investment for the World Cup totals billion covering airport expansion, security, accommodations and transportation. We asked Marco Antônio de Britto Lomanto, Director of Products and Tourist Destinations for the Brazilian Tourism Board (EMBRATUR) how important the flowon effect will be from this major sporting event… A tourist who comes to Brazil for the World Cup will have numerous options with regard not only to each host city, but also in surrounding regions, with ecotourism and a great diversity of choices; options which we are taking great pains to adequately demonstrate to tour operators at ITB Berlin. For example there’s Mato Grosso, Cuiaba and Chapada dos Guimarães; destinations that are among the most beautiful in the world, that are just a stone’s throw from the host cities in the World Cup. This event will bring people to parts of the country that are not traditionally sold by tour operators; for example in the northeast. If we take the example of Salvador, Recife, Natal and Fortaleza, the distance between these cities is not so great that it can’t be covered by automobile, and this will lead to a number of opportunities for tourism. The same goes for São Paolo, Belo Horizonte and Rio. So at ITB Berlin, your message will be very different from in previous years… Exactly. Until not so long ago, tour operators only thought of Brazil as a destination for beach holidays, but Brazil also has countless cultural events and festivals that are little known by people from abroad, such as the Festas Juninas in the month of June – during the World Cup. These festivities, celebrating the memory of St John the Baptist, were originally introduced by the Portuguese during the colonial period, and are primarily held in Northeastern Brazil. They bring together culture, art, gastronomy and music and are completely new products for tour BRAZIL HAS COUNTLESS CULTURAL EVENTS AND FESTIVALS THAT ARE LITTLE KNOWN BY PEOPLE FROM ABROAD operators, who only promoted the carnivals until now. Now they will know the Festas Juninas because for the World Cup, the Brazilian Government is promoting these festivals to support and to valorise the popular culture of Brazil among international tourists. Hall 3.1 Stand 104 Hall 4.1 Stand 206 Hall 1.1 Stand 204 María Claudia Lacouture President of Proexport Colombia Inbound tourism to Colombia increased in the period from 2005 to 2012 at an annual average of 10.4%, three times faster than the world average over the same period. In 2013 1.5 million international visitors travelled to Colombia from January to October, which corresponds to an increase of 7.6% over the same period in 2012. María Claudia Lacouture, President of Proexport Colombia told ITB Berlin News that during ITB her organisation is placing greater emphasis on the market niche “Whale watching”, “Ecotourism” and “Archaeology.” “The Pacific coast is the ideal place to watch whales,” said Ms Lacouture. “From July to October, it serves as a venue for the procreation and birth of humpback whales, as they migrate along the coast.” This year at ITB Berlin, Colombia presents its new tourism campaign: “Colombia is Magic Realism”. The campaign conveys to the world the blend between reality and fantasy that provides visitors with unique experiences in the country. Ms Lacouture says the concept for the campaign was developed based upon the opinions of international visitors. “At ITB, we will present the new campaign on an exhibition area of more than 300 square meters. Travel agencies, partners and potential travellers can ‘virtually’ experience the various destinations, activities and possibilities of Colombia and exchange ideas.” Hall 1.1 Stand 114 Hall 1.1 Stand 115 ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 5 th March 2014 www.itb-berlin-news.com
AMERICAS / CARIBBEAN REGION 23 The World’s Eyes Turn to Miami and the Blue Monster Cadillac World Golf Championship kicks off today in Miami marking the first major event at the Trump National Doral Resort Doral Red Course Glacier Skywalk BREATHTAKING VIEWS FROM NEW SKYWALK Rockies attraction opens in May 2014 – a major draw for visitors The new Glacier Skywalk in the Canadian Rockies is set to welcome visitors from May 2014, with the grand opening celebration scheduled for the Victoria Day long weekend (May 17-19, 2014). Miami may be the cruise capital of the world; its South Beach district, art deco buildings and vibrant nightlife are legendary, art and culture are ‘coming out’, but today, on the opening day of ITB Berlin, one event above all others is turning the world’s eyes towards Miami, at a place with the unlikely name of “Blue Monster” – the latest plaything of billionaire entrepreneur Donald Trump. The importance of this opening event, among the oh-so-many other activities in Miami as a Trump-card for tourism is underlined by William D. Talbert III, CEO and President of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors’ Bureau (GMCVB): “All your readers know that when Mr. Trump says he’s going to do something, he does it. He announced that he wanted this to be the number one golf resort in the world and I have no doubt he will follow through. The flow-on for the image of Miami and our tourism is evident.” It almost goes without saying that Mr Talbert accepted to be on the committee for the tournament, and was personally present to accompany Mr Trump and his siblings for his first tee-off at the Blue Monster. REKINDLING RELATIONS WITH THE OLD CONTINENT For the GMCVB, ITB Berlin, as the most important global tourism trade event, is the occasion to rekindle relations with major tour operators – with new ideas, products and promotions. Spearheading this effort, Mr Talbert underlines major strides forward in terms of tourism infrastructure, including the recent rail link from the airport to the ever more popular downtown district, or important recent changes to legislation concerning taxis in the Miami metropolitan area. Countless new reasons exist to entice your clients to Miami. For those who love the THE FLOW- ON FOR THE IMAGE OF MIAMI AND OUR TOURISM IS EVIDENT arts, Mr Talbert underlines the fact that Art Basel in Miami Beach brings together artists, collectors, curators and art enthusiasts creating the excitement that makes this singular event a remarkable way to encounter art. 75,000 international visitors attended the 2013 edition. Hall 2.1 Stand 315 After years of planning and engagement and two seasons of construction, the Glacier Skywalk will be a premier interactive experience that allows visitors to actively engage with the incredible environment that surrounds them. The design, honoured with a 1st prize award at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona Spain, has come to life on the Icefields Parkway between Banff and Jasper. The uniquely designed walkway offers an immersive and multi-sensory experience. Highlighted vistas and interpretive stations lead guests to the grand finale of the Glacier Skywalk experience: a glass-floored walkway 280 metres (918 feet) over the breathtaking Sunwapta Valley complete with cascading waterfalls and wildlife below. Visitors have the chance to virtually hover between land and sky. “The Glacier Skywalk is an inspiring worldclass new attraction,” said Michael Hannan, President, Brewster Travel Canada. “From its inception, this experience was designed to integrate with the wilderness inviting visitors to learn, discover and explore. The engaging interpretive experiences, views of the glacial valley, rushing waterfalls and sightings of mountain goats and bighorn sheep will ensure that guests leave the Glacier Skywalk with a powerful connection to and long lasting memories of the incredible landscapes they stand within.” Hall 2.1 Stand 391 ITB BERLIN NEWS • Wednesday 5 th March 2014
