The 17th Annual Cancun Travel Mart, scheduled for Oct. 13-15, will
be expanded this year to include retail travel agents and group
meeting planners.
The annual trade event in Cancun, which is hosted by the
Quintana Roo Hotel Association, has long included tour operators
and area suppliers. But this year association members urged
organizers to showcase the destination to all segments of the
industry.
“Many Quintana Roo Hotel Association officers and members feel
that inviting qualified retail travel agents and group meeting
planners to Cancun Travel Mart will make the event more valuable
and productive for everyone. Tour operator business sessions are
being expanded, and we think travel agents and meeting planners
will appreciate the opportunity to personally see and experience
Cancun,” said association president Jose Chapur Zahoul.
The travel mart is expected to bring buyers from 16 countries to
Cancun to meet with 250 suppliers from all over the Mexican
Caribbean, including Cozumel, the Riviera Maya, Costa Maya and Isla
Mujeres.
In addition to visiting with suppliers, agents will be invited
to attend seminars, workshops and site inspections. But the buyer
and supplier business sessions are the main focus, with almost
2,000 appointments already pre-scheduled. Business sessions will be
expanded this year to be held over two days.
Along with the hotel association, event sponsors include the
Cancun Visitors & Conventions Bureau, the National Chamber of
the Restaurant Industry, Real Resorts/Best Day Tours, Planet
Hollywood, Outback Steak House, Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville, the
Directorio de Hoteles Mexico, and Xcaret Park.
American Airlines is offering special roundtrip fares from the
U.S. for approved delegates of $175. Tour operator buyer
registration fees are $125 and include all functions, airport
transfers and shuttle transportation.
IATAN and CLIA travel agents registration fees are $175 and
include three nights’ double-room accommodations, airport transfers
and all functions, including seminars, site inspections and the
Travel Exposition. Qualified meeting planners will be hosted by the
hotel association.
Association member supplier registration fees are $1,195 for up
to 35 pre-scheduled appointments, or $1,595 for up to 70
pre-scheduled appointments. Suppliers also pay $165 per
delegate.
www.cancuntravelmart.com
904-398-6777, ext. 8022 and 8025
email: [email protected]
