The Latin American Travel Association (LATA) has brought together 200 members to discuss the impacts and solution of COVID-19 pandemic on the Latin American travel industry for future.
Led by LATA chairman, Colin Stewart, and moderated by LATA CEO, Danny Callaghan, LATA hosted a session featuring a panel of tour-operator experts including Sarah Bradley, Journey Latin America, Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell, Cazenove & Lloyd, John Telfer, Explore Worldwide and Martin Johnson, Latin Routes.
The session was initiated with UK consumer insight provided by Mail Metro Media outlining current travel trends as well as results from a consumer survey specifically about travel to Latin America.
The research showed that despite the immediate impact on travel plans with 37% of respondents claiming to have already cancelled their holiday, there is some appetite for 2020 holiday bookings. September is the most popular month being considered by those looking to make a 2020 booking with 54% of respondents thinking that UK travel restrictions will be lifted by then.
The panel identified that forward bookings to Latin America remain strong. However, a large part of these are postponed trips being taken at a later date. New bookings in April are limited.
In terms of developing a roadmap to recovery, the panel identified Latin America?s positive points of differentiation. That includes: attracting a more adventurous traveller that is less risk averse, wide open natural spaces, sustainability and community-led initiatives, large part of the customer base having strong economic power and long lead times in terms of bookings.
The panel agreed that while the issues of air travel, airport regulation and travel insurance need to be resolved, clarity and consistency of messaging is vital to maintain customer confidence.
The panel identified action points for destinations and travel companies within Latin America to focus on while travel is on hold. It includes developing conservation initiatives, working with remote communities to maintain open lines of communication and support and ensuring pricing is confirmed for 2021 to enable travel companies to make future bookings.
Colin Stewart, chairmen of LATA said: ?This session was the first in a series of webinars to have an open discussion about the pandemic impact on our businesses and how we can move forward as a united industry.?
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