230 delegates gathered in San Luis Potosi from November 29th to December 1st for the first AdventureNEXT in Mexico. Adventures prior to the event had international tour operators and outbound tour operators experiencing the rich adventures offered in Mexico, from rappelling into a cave 470 meters deep to jumping waterfalls in the turquoise blue Mica river.
“My first ATTA event was an unqualified success and A BLAST! I was very impressed by SLP, and found the opportunities to network and meet fellow travel industry folks invaluable both personally and professionally. I am very much looking forward to my next ATTA event.” -- Darian Martyniuk, Centam Travel
Juan Manuel Carreras Lopez, Governor of San Luis Potosi, spoke at the event about the developing importance of tourism for Mexico. Adventure travel is the natural niche to move travelers away from beaches and inland to the developing travel opportunities around the country.
ATTA President Mr. Shannon Stowell agreed and commented in his opening keynote, “Some people would say that one of San Luis Potosi’s weaknesses is a lack of beaches. I say it could be the key to positioning yourself as one of Mexico’s, and the world’s, unique adventure destinations.” He continued, “...it will take hard work to really get there and that will require collaboration between government, businesses and non-profits.”
The concurrent sessions during the event had eager delegates who appreciated the advice from the adventure travel industry experts presenting on key topics related to risk management, adventure travel trends and marketing, community tourism development and more. "Pati" Ruiz Corzo, said fittingly that indigenous based community tourism is an “inner adventure experience.” Many of the attendees agreed and were moved by her passionate presentation.
We are pleased to share a few photo highlights from the event:
