Onsite: Travel Mart Latin America Kicks Off With Strong Numbers

CARTAGENA, COLOMBIA-Travel Agent was on site for the 31st annual Travel Mart Latin America at the Cartagena de Indias Convention Center, where the second Travel Mart held in Colombia since 1981 and the first ever held in Cartagena drew approximately 560 suppliers representing 265 companies and about 300 buyers from 230 companies, according to María Jose Abuabara, tourism advisor for Proexport, the company name of the Colombia Tourism Board. Abuabara says there were more appointments scheduled this year than at last year's event in Panama, where about 6,000 appointments were made. Bill Coleman, chairman of the event, told Travel Agent this year's event drew the largest attendance in the post-9/11 era. Next year's Travel Mart Latin America will be held in Quito, Ecuador.