Set up by a group of volunteers in 2008, the LATA Foundation (www.latafoundation.org) was created for the travel industry to give something back to the region and is the official charity of the Latin American Travel Association (LATA). Today the charity works with donors both from inside and out of the travel industry and supports 10 key projects in Latin America.

Broadly the organisation has four core aims:

• Conservation of the environment
• Relief of poverty
• Sustainable development, economic growth and regeneration
• The promotion of ethical and responsible business practices

Kate McWilliams heads up the LOTUS LATAM division at LOTUS; an area of the business focused on the Spanish-speaking markets. She says, “At LOTUS, we are proud to represent a number of travel organisations in Latin America and it’s a huge privilege to become a trustee of the LATA Foundation. It is essential that tourism to Latin America is managed in a sustainable way and joining the LATA Foundation is a way to contribute positively to the region.”

Chairman of the LATA Foundation, Chris Pickard says, “Kate is passionate about the region and brings a new set of skills and contacts to the LATA Foundation. We are looking forward to the positive impact her involvement will have.”

For more information on the LATA Foundation, please visit www.latafoundation.org.

For anyone looking to get involved with the LATA Foundation, please contact Kate on Kate@wearelotus.co.uk.

For more information on LOTUS LATAM, please visit www.wearelotuslatam.co.uk.

Lotus LATAM ha sido creada para satisfacer la demanda de los mercados turísticos en Latinoamérica que han experimentado últimamente un crecimiento importante gracias a las nuevas rutas aéreas desde Reino Unido a destinos como Chile, Costa Rica y Perú, y al desarrollo de la infraestructura turística en países como Colombia y Belice. Y si se tiene en cuenta la atención generada recientemente por los Juegos Olímpicos de Río de Janeiro 2016 y otros eventos deportivos de gran calibre, todas las miradas están puestas firmemente en Latinoamérica.

Lotus LATAM ha sido desarrollada para ofrecer un servicio de comunicación profesional y de dedicación exclusiva para clientes de habla hispana que quieran promocionar sus productos en el Reino Unido y en otros mercados.

El aumento de la demanda turística en Latinoamérica junto con la reactivación económica en España han sentado las bases para nuevas oportunidades de turismo. Lotus LATAM llevará a cabo una reorganización de sus clientes españoles y latinoamericanos para que también formen parte de esta nueva división bajo la dirección de Kate McWilliams, directora adjunta de Lotus con amplia experiencia en los mercados español y latinoamericano.

En los últimos años, Lotus ha aumentado su cartera de clientes colaborando con destinos, cadenas hoteleras, aerolíneas, turoperadores y otras compañías de turismo para ayudarles a desarrollar su imagen y ampliar cuota en sus mercados claves. Solo en el último año, Lotus ha trabajado con una amplia gama de clientes latinoamericanos y españoles incluyendo CATA (Central America Tourist Association), LATAM Airlines Group, Quito Turismo, Cruceros Australis, LATA (Latin America Travel Association) en Latinoamérica; Islas Baleares, Palma de Mallorca, Palladium Hotel Group, Costa Daurada y Costa del Sol en España, y la embajada de Brasil en Londres. Hoy día, el 25% del equipo de Lotus habla español y ha viajado, vivido y trabajado en España y países de Latinoamérica.

Jules Ugo, directora ejecutiva de Lotus, comenta, “Gracias a nuestra vasta experiencia en estos mercados, nuestros grandes conocimientos de los destinos, nuestra gran red de contactos y la capacidad lingüística de la agencia, el lanzamiento de Lotus LATAM es un paso adelante para Lotus que además de ser muy emocionante, forma parte fundamental de nuestra estrategia de crecimiento”.

Lotus LATAM ofrecerá campañas dirigidas hacia los diferentes mercados individuales, europeos o globales a través de su red de oficinas por todo el mundo (todas especializadas en turismo).

Con la adquisición de nuevos clientes, Lotus LATAM contratará con nuevos empleados que hablan español o portugués brasileño con fluidez.

Para más información, visite www.wearelotuslatam.co.uk.

Latin American tourism markets have seen an uplift in recent years spurred on by new direct flights to destinations such as Chile, Costa Rica and Peru and a development of the tourism infrastructure in countries including Colombia and Belize. Added to this the halo effect created by Rio 2016 and other flagship sporting events, the spotlight is fully focused on Latin America.

Lotus LATAM aims to use its skills and assets to provide an experienced, knowledgeable resource for those looking to promote Latin American tourism in the UK marketplace and beyond.

This growth, alongside Spain’s recent economic recovery, paves the way for new inbound tourism opportunities to Spain and Latin America and the decision will see Lotus’ existing Spanish and Latin American client portfolio aligned under the new brand and the management of Lotus Associate Director, Kate McWilliams; a fluent Spanish speaker with extensive experience working with the Spanish and Latin American markets.

In the last few years, Lotus has built up its Spanish and Latin American client base and in 2016 alone worked with the Central American Travel Agency (CATA), LATAM Airlines Group, the Latin America Travel Association (LATA), Quito Tourist Board, Australis Cruises, the Brazilian Embassy (London), the Balearic Islands, Spain’s Costa Daurada and Costa del Sol, Palladium Hotel Group, Atlantis Hotels, alongside many other Spanish and Latin American tourism clients. Today 25% of the Lotus workforce speak fluent Spanish and the agency team has spent a substantial amount of time living, working and travelling in Spain and Latin America.

Jules Ugo, managing director at Lotus says, “Given our expertise in this market, our in-depth knowledge and our language skills within the agency, the launch of Lotus LATAM is a natural, but exciting, part of our growth and development as a business.”

Lotus LATAM will offer market specific, pan European or global campaigns working with a worldwide network of independent travel specialists.

With the acquisition of new business, Lotus LATAM will be recruiting, growing the staff base with fluent Spanish and Portuguese speakers.

For more information on Lotus LATAM, please visit www.wearelotuslatam.co.uk.

Lotus has been handed the brief to manage the PR for the Rio Lounge, opening at the Brazilian Embassy in London on 6 August for the duration of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

The Rio Lounge will be open to the public from 6-21 August 2016 offering a rare chance to venture inside the Embassy to watch live footage of the Games and enjoy a wonderful showcase of tourist attractions from the State of Rio de Janeiro with its remarkable coastline, historical cities and tropical forests.

The London 2012 Olympic Games were a huge success and inspired audiences worldwide to the excitement of sports. Now it is time for Rio to be part of history.

As the first country to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in South America, Brazil is proud to open the doors of its best known tourist destination – Rio de Janeiro – to more than 10,000 Olympic athletes and 4,000 Paralympic athletes from around the world.

The Rio Olympic Lounge is a rare opportunity for the public to access the Brazilian Embassy, located close to Trafalgar Square, London, and is an initiative of the Embassy of Brazil, TurisRio (the State of Rio de Janeiro Tourist Authority) and supported by the Rio Convention & Visitors Bureau.

What: Rio Olympic Lounge

Screens, live coverage of the Games, activities about Rio de Janeiro and Brazil’s tourism

When: 6 to 21 August 2016. Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm

Venue: Embassy of Brazil, 14-16 Cockspur Street. SW1Y 5BL

Admission is FREE, everyone is welcome.

Brazilian Government official website of the Games, managed by the Ministry of Sport: www.brasil2016.gov.br/en

#RioLounge

Studded with outstanding natural wonders as well as one of the world’s hot list cities, Argentina is a vast and varied land encompassing a staggering diversity of terrains.

Kate from Lotus UK joined a ten day trip to Argentina with South American hotel representatives, Senderos, travelling from Buenos Aires, to Salta and Iguazu with LAN and TAM, forming part of LATAM Airlines Group, South America’s largest and most comprehensive flight network.

Kate gives her account of the trip:

Starting in Argentina’s atmospheric capital, Buenos Aires, we enjoyed the perfectly central location of Alvear Art Hotel set in the heart of the financial, commercial and cultural area of the city, just steps away from elegant Santa Fe Avenue and elegant shopping street of La Florida and close to Puerto Madero, one of Argentina’s most modern neighbourhoods, located on the Rio de la Plata riverbank.

Due to the ash from the recently erupted Chilean volcano, we had an extra day in Buenos Aires and enjoyed a visit to the crumbling barrio of San Telmo, rich with graffiti and colonial style buildings, as well as a guided tour to the tourist hot spot of La Boca and the colourful El Caminto street. We also visited Plaza de Mayo, home to Casa Rosada, President Cristina Kirchner’s office, and the weekly gathering of the “mothers of the disappeared”, who since 1977 have walked around the Plaza seeking answers following the disappearance of their relatives during the military dictatorship of the 70s and 80s.

We continued to Salta, flying with LAN Argentina to the beautiful family run Finca Valentina, located on the outskirts of Salta in Northwest Argentina. Run by husband and wife duo Fabrizio and Valentina, the country house is rustic yet refined, fringed by mountains and lush gardens, with a small pool, which was perfect for wiping away the cobwebs after our visit to a local Peña (a typical folkloric music venue).

The ideal base to explore the region, Fabrizio also runs a small tour company called Socompa which offers guided tours to the most remote and beautiful parts of the region. Over the next few days, we were led by fantastic Socompa tour guide Gabi and super driver Seba through magnificent landscapes including Los Cordones National Park, home to hundreds of giant cactus, the mountain valley of Quebrada de Humahuaca and a trip to nearby Purmamarca, with its vivid “Hill of Seven Colours”, formed from marine sediments, elevated with the movement of the tectonic plates over thousands of years.

We continued to the fascinating Quebrada de las Flechas with its incredible rock like formations which reminded me of Chile’s Valley of the Moons, only less touristy, and the spectacular salt flats of Salinas Grandes, stumbling across a colourful local fiesta in Jujuy, celebrating the towns victory over Spanish invaders in 1821. With a parade of traditional costume and hundreds of gauchos on horseback, it really was a strike of luck.

The tour also included a night at the peaceful Cafayate Wine Resort, where we woke to the sun rising over fields of vines and birdsong as well as a sparkling pool which looked extremely inviting.

From Salta, we flew with LAN onto Iguazu (via BA) and spent a night at the colonial style Don Puerto Bemberg Lodge, located in the heart of the jungle. Set on the Paraná River separating Argentina from Paraguay, we woke a to a jungle alive with exotic birdsong and colourful flora and fauna.

After a visit to the fascinating Jesuit site of San Ignacio where just two Jesuit missionaries converted over 1500 locals to Catholicism, the trip concluded with a stay at the stunning Puerto Valle in Corrientes, a beautiful boutique hotel which this year expanded from just five rooms to 13 rooms, each impeccably designed with either verandas or floor to ceiling windows looking out onto the Paraná River on the edge of the Ibera Wetlands.

Focusing on wildlife, a range of activities were included in our stay, including a trip through the Wetland’s canals to spot the area’s incredibly diverse wildlife and birdlife, including colourful turkey vultures, Crested caracaras , kingfishers, cuckoos, egrets as well as capybaras (like giant guinea pigs) and caiman basking in the sun.

The trip finished on a high with a visit to the Argentinian side of Iguazu. Despite the pouring rain, Iguazu is a jaw-dropping site and the power of the water and deafening noise is definitely something that I won’t forget.

Before boarding the flight home, the group enjoyed the new LATAM business class lounge at Terminal 3 at Guarulhos International Airport (Sao Paulo) which was a perfect way to finish the trip.

I had an absolutely brilliant trip and I’d like to thank LATAM Airlines Group, Senderos and all the accommodations partners for making it possible.

Also, thank you to all our guests who were wonderful company.

Alaska: Travel Alaska

Andorra: Turisme Andorra

Guernsey: Visit Guernsey

Finland: Visit Finland

Greece: Visit Greece

Heathrow Express

Ibiza: Ibiza Tourist Board

Latam Airlines Group

Liguria: In Liguria

Palladium Hotel Group

Palma: Fundacion de Turismo Palma de Mallorca

Spain: Turespaña

Jules Ugo: 07957 133 939

Sarah Johnson: 07876 506 014

Frances Tuke: 07415 136 001

Kate McWilliams: 07917 190 705

Nina Derham: 07961 401 492

Amelia Astley Birtwistle: 07833 512 811

Georgina Oakley: 07979 235 471

Maria Costa Lobo: 07455 641 517

Alaska

NA350C

www.travelalaska.com

Account contact: Kate McWilliams – kate@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07917 190 705
Maria Costa Lobo – Maria@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07455 641 517

Jesse Carlstrom from the state of Alaska will be available to catch up with UK trade and tour operator partners as well as meet travel media interested in writing about Alaska. 

Jesse will be joined by Al Koch from incoming agency All Alaska Tours as well as Tania Hancock from Visit Anchorage.

For more information please email Alaska@lotus-uk.co.uk

Andorra

EM1855

visitandorra.com/en/home

Account contact: Sarah Johnson - sarah@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07876 506 014
Georgina Oakley – georgina@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07979 235 471

Joaquim Tomas, Commercial Director of Andorra Turisme, will be in London on Monday and Tuesday of WTM. Andorra will be meeting trade partners to discuss their ski programme and growing summer programme. To make an appointment please contact Sarah or Georgina ASAP. 

Visit Finland

EM540d

www.visitfinland.com

Account contact: Jules Ugo – jules@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07957 133 939
Georgina Oakley – georgina@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07979 235 471

Press pack on stand.

Guernsey

UKI540

www.visitguernsey.com

Account contact: Jules Ugo – jules@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07957 133 939
Amelia Astley Birtwistle – amelia@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07833 512 811

Please come by the stand to meet Wendy Pedder, Marketing Manager – Trade and Media, and Mike Hopkins, Marketing Director, take a press pack and hear the news for Guernsey in 2015.

Greece

EM1270, EM1200

www.visitgreece.gr

Account contact: Jules Ugo - jules@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07957 133 939
Frances Tuke – frances@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07415 136 001

Journalists are invited to lunch on Monday 3 November at 12.00-13.45 at the stand and then to the press conference in Platinum Suite 1 at 14.00.

From 10.00-10.30 on each day of the show trade visitors are invited for breakfast, while journalists and bloggers are invited for breakfast from between 10-11.30 am each day.

Journalists and trade visitors are also invited for lunch between 14.00-15.00 on Wednesday 5 November and between 13.00-14.00 on Thursday 6 November.

Travel agents will be able to attend cookery demonstrations and enter into a prize draw.

For more information or to attend any of the above please contact Frances Tuke.

Heathrow Express

Account contact – Sarah Johnson – sarah@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07876 506 014
Frances Tuke – frances@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07415 136 001

All WTM delegates can obtain free travel between Paddington and Heathrow on the Heathrow Express between Wednesday 29 October to Wednesday 12 November by emailing contact details and the six digit id badge number to eticketing@heathrowexpress.com. More details can also be found at www.wtmlondon.com/Content/Getting-There

Ibiza

EM1550

www.ibiza.travel/en

Account contact: Jules Ugo - jules@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07957 133 939
Amelia Astley Birtwistle – amelia@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07833 512 811

Join Carmen Sanchez, Director UK & Ireland, Ibiza Tourism Board and Carmen Ferrer Torres, Minister of Tourism for a drink and some authentic Ibizencan food on Monday 3rd November from 16.00-18.00. RSVP jules@lotus-uk.co.uk

LATAM Airlines Group

LA530

www.latamairlinesgroup.net

Account contact: Nina Derham – nina@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07961 401 492

Please drop by the stand to hear about LATAM’s plans for 2015 and pick up a press pack. Meetings with LATAM Airlines Group commercial director for UK & Northern Europe, Martin Modarelli are available on request.

Trade and media are invited to join the LATAM Airlines Group team for a drink on their stand between 16.00-17.30 on Monday 3rd November.

Liguria

EM2080, EM2100, EM2150

www.turismoinliguria.it

Account contact: Jules Ugo – jules@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07957 133 939
Amelia Astley Birtwistle – amelia@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07833 512 811

Meetings are available with Tiziana Suman from In Liguria. Please contact the PR team to arrange a meeting.

Palladium Hotel Group

EM1803

www.palladiumhotelgroup.com/en

Account contact: Kate McWilliams – kate@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07917 190 705
Georgina Oakley – Georgina@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07979 235 471

Please come by the stand to meet Iñaky Bau, Marketing Director, take a press pack and hear Palladium Hotel Group’s expansion plans, investment projects and new openings in 2015. Interviews with Iñaky Bau are available on request. Please contact phg@lotus-uk.co.uk ASAP.

On stand event: Celebrate the White Isle with Palladium Hotel Group

Tuesday 4th November from 16.00-17.30

By invitation only: Enjoy White Island vibes at World Travel Market with Palladium Hotel Group and find out about the new five star Grand Palladium White Island Spa & Resort, scheduled to open in spring 2015. For more information, please contact Kate or Georgina. To request a place please contact phg@lotus-uk.co.uk

Palma

EM1550

www.palmavirtual.es

Fundación de Turismo Palma de Mallorca 365

Account contact: Nina Derham nina@lotus-uk.co.uk
Maria Costa Lobo – Maria@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07455 641 517
Kate McWilliams – kate@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07917 190 705

Press Conference

Date: Wednesday 5th November

Time: 11.00-12.00

Place: Balearic Islands Stand, EM1550 (ExCel, London)

Please join Palma de Mallorca’s deputy mayor, Álvaro Luis Gijón Carrasco for the launch of Passion for Running, an exciting new product which aims to raise Palma’s profile for sports tourism and put the city on the map as the ideal destination for athletes and running aficionados. Gijón will be joined by special guest speaker, Kathrine Switzer, one of running’s most iconic figures, who challenged the all-male tradition of the Boston Marathon and became the first woman to run as a registered entry in 1967.

Please RSVP to maria@lotus-uk.co.uk to confirm your place.

Spain

EM1500, EM1550

www.spain.info

Account contact: Nina Derham – nina@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07961 401 492
Kate McWilliams – kate@lotus-uk.co.uk / 07917 190 705

Press Conference

Date: Monday 3rd November

Time: 11.30-13.00

Place: North Gallery Room, 14/15, World Travel Market (ExCel, London)

All press welcome.

Please join Spain’s Minister for Industry, Energy and Tourism, Mr José Manuel Soria, for an update on Spain as a tourist destination, key results from 2014 and the main initiatives for 2015.

Please RSVP to spain@lotus-uk.co.uk to confirm your place.

• Ecuador and LATAM Airlines Group shine at the World Travel Awards

The 20th World Travel Awards took place on 20 July and Lotus UK’s Latin American clients had a very successful night.

Ecuador’s vibrant and historic capital of Quito proved to be one of the biggest stars by taking the title of “South America’s Leading Destination”. Quito’s historic centre was one of UNESCO’s first ever World Heritage Sites, declared in 1978. Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands also snapped up the titles of “Leading Green Hotel” with Finch Bay Hotel and “South America’s Leading Resort” with the Arasha Tropical Forest Resort & Spa.

In addition to this, LAN Airlines, part of LATAM Airlines Group, was crowned “Leading Airline in South America” for the second consecutive year, taking into account the airline’s dedication to leadership, the implementation of a clear corporate vision, consistency in operations and attentive customer service. Other factors taken into consideration were excellent food service, comfortable cabins and Business Class service, on board technology and entertainment, VIP lounges, and the on-time arrivals and departures record.

• Liguria retains position of most Blue Flag beaches in Italy for 2013 - 4th year in a row

The region of Liguria in north-west Italy, otherwise known as the ‘Italian Riviera’, has the most Blue Flag beaches of any region in Italy, following two new entries for 2013. The crescent shaped region between the French Riviera and Tuscany now has 20 Blue Flag Beaches, allowing it to retain its title of having the most Blue Flag beaches in Italy for the fourth year in a row. Holding this position for four years highlights Liguria’s incredible beach offering. The position is particularly impressive considering that the region has a relatively small length of coastline (nearly 200 miles) compared to other regions of Italy. Blue Flag beaches range from Finale Ligure in the west, which is Liguria’s longest beach, to Lerici Beach in east Liguria, with its stunning scenery and crystal clear waters.

• Wendy Wu Tours receives TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence

Another of our clients, Wendy Wu Tours, has been awarded the prestigious TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence this month. The award recognises the top-performing 10% of businesses listed on TripAdvisor that consistently receive high customer ratings over a minimum of a 12 month period.

Wendy Wu Tours offers a wide scope of escorted and private tours to China, Indochina, India, Sri Lanka and Nepal, totalling over 600 tour departures per year to 18 different countries.  New for 2013 is a range of exciting winter tours including exclusive Chinese New Year holidays, family holidays and Christmas tours.