In a climate of brand saturation, disintermediation, and the never-ending quest for the next adventure-of-a-lifetime, travel businesses must find the right partners for the right programs. The ATWS Marketplace, dubbed the AFAR Exchange, will work to create and strengthen business-to-business relationships in the adventure travel market by offering registered Suppliers and Buyers pre-scheduled meetings onsite at the 2011 Adventure Travel World Summit in San Cristóbal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico.
Designed to take networking a step further, the AFAR Exchange is structured for in-depth, one-on-one interaction between ATWS Suppliers (ATTA Member Inbound Tour Operators and Accommodations) and ATWS Buyers (Outbound Tour Operators, Wholesalers and Specialty Travel Agents). Suppliers will have the opportunity to engage potential partners, develop a stronger network, and build new marketing and sales offerings worldwide. Buyers are presented with the unique opportunity to enhance their itineraries by meeting ground suppliers and accommodations from a variety of regions, some of whom have little exposure to the international market - all in one location.
To further enhance the quality of on-site networking, all delegates gain access to the annual pre-Summit social networking site Summit Connections where they can find potential partners, review Supplier and Buyer directories, schedule additional meetings, post photos, videos and more.
The 2011 AFAR Exchange will feature 100 Suppliers from around the world, with a special emphasis on Latin American tour operators and accommodations from the Summit destination region. Meetings of 17-minutes in length are ideal for meaningful interaction, sampling a wide array of tour product, and determining how best to proceed with business relationship discussions.
Past ATWS Suppliers include: Adventure Slovenia, Encounters Asia, Gateway to Egypt, Iceland Encounter, Le Quebec Maritime, Inkaterra, Ocean Quest, Summits Africa, Wilderness Scotland, destination sponsors and more.
Past ATWS Buyers include: Country Walkers, GAP Adventures, Geographic Expeditions, KE Adventure Travel, Kensington Tours, Mountain Travel Sobek, Natural Habitat Adventures, Tucan Travel, Virtuoso and independent specialty travel agents, and more.
Unlike most trade show events, the AFAR Exchange only occurs during one day of the Adventure Travel World Summit, and the only way to schedule appointments is by registering as a Supplier or Buyer, then submitting appointment request forms before deadline.
Learn more about joining us for the 2011 AFAR Exchange and registering for the Adventure Travel World Summit.
Additional Background: Read the report from Inside the 2010 AFAR Exchange Global Marketplace in Aviemore, Scotland.