Lawrence Reinisch, Director of WTM Latin America

Caribbean News Digital held an exclusive interview with Lawrence Reinisch, director of WTM Latin America, who spoke about the growing prospects of this outstanding Fair’s third edition. Furthermore, he commented on the importance of the Internet for the travel industry and pointed out that the whole Caribbean region will benefit from the new U.S. opening to Cuba.

The past edition of WTM Latin America brought about 340 million dollars. What’s the prospect for this year?

Taking into account the world economic situation we’re being conservative and looking forward to going 10 percent up. I think that we can guarantee this goal. If we made 341 million dollars last year, we can now collect 375 million.

It’s not bad for the third edition.

That’s right, this is the third edition, but the outcome lead us to say that we’re a well-positioned Fair.

What are the newcomers in this edition of the event?

This is the first time Spain takes a pavilion. We also have Colombia and Istanbul as a city, which this year is the sponsor destination of the Fair.

You have also introduced the MICE sector

The MICE sector has gained momentum. We had the MICE cocktail, offered by IBTM, one of the most internationally acclaimed MICE associations.

This sector is presently playing a leading role in the travel industry

MICE tourism is one of the most coveted segments. Most of national organizations are willing to invest in MICE tourism.

The Internet realm takes higher investment. Google has given a conference in this Fair. What do you make of the travel industry on the Internet?

The Internet is growing, although we also see that many customers prefer traditional means because of the personal touch. For example, we see in Braztoa, the Brazilian Association of Tour Operators, a significant number of people looking for operators and travel agencies as they prefer the personal touch that Internet fails to deliver. They want the guarantee of a professional contact, instead of the coldness of Internet. I personally surf the web so as to take a look at the destinations and get an idea on relative prices, but most of the time we’d rather buy in an agency we already know.

But the Internet is not only about shopping; it’s a tool to get to know customers.

The Internet is undoubtedly unbeatable when it comes to using it as a tool to learn more about customers, destinations, products and services.

A report was aired yesterday on the sector’s trends in Latin America. The message aims at having destinations focused on specialization, luxury hotels shouldn’t be so into ostentation, but into small details that make customers remember the stay as exclusive and unique. Does this idea only target the luxury segment?

I think that there are lots of opinions on luxury tourism, since it’s labeled luxury but it isn’t so. Many people rather use other denominations like tourism that pays more attention at lifestyle. It’s something that goes beyond the traditional concept of luxury, in the search of special top elements, which can be provided by a hotel, an entire destination.

That not only applies to luxury. Every tourist should feel like staying at a luxury hotel or destination, because traveling is actually a luxury.

The term luxury is very subjective. What could be luxury for me might not be the same for other people. I believe that having a good experience is luxury. Many simple things can be luxury.

The opening of Cuba is great.

I think it’s fantastic.

What should be done by the destinations in the region whose offers are similar to Cuba’s? How should they prepare?

The region is going to benefit from this situation, because Cuba has an amazing nature and culture offer. Cuba can be the attraction that makes everybody come to the region. It’s going to be very positive for the whole Caribbean region.

Brazil’s Minister of Tourism, Henrique Alves, said that the Olympic Games won’t be only about Rio, but they will benefit the entire region.

This strategy is not only Brazil’s, but Latin America’s because I believe that we, as Latin Americans, have to look into ourselves before putting out eyes on Europe or United States. We have to know more about ourselves. We’re neighbors. Significant amounts of money are usually invested in attracting people from other areas of the planet, but bringing our neighbors would be easier.

The multi-destination among the countries of the region is a strong aspect that other continents don’t have.

We’re lucky to live in peaceful continent, beyond some specific problems. We’re practically breathing peace throughout the continent.