Advertisement
A new expo aimed at positioning Miami International Airport as tourism’s cornerstone aims to bring about 2,000 global travel professionals to the airport yearly starting next May 3-5.
“The World Travel Expo is to solidify the Miami-Dade County economic support – tourism,” said Rolando Aedo, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau chief operating officer.
Event sponsor American Airlines carries about of 75% of MIA passengers. The visiting travel professionals will meet with airlines, tourism bureaus, tour operators, hotels and a panel of university presidents.
“This expo is equally about supporting inbound tourism, people flying into Miami, and outbound, or people flying from MIA. The airport is a gateway,” Mr. Aedo said.
MIA is leading in airport in recovery from covid with a return volume of 90%, he said Friday. “Last week the passenger volume was 95.5% of where it was in 2019.” Hotel rooms are being sold at a higher price and 110% volume compared to 2019, he said, and restaurants reservations are up 135%. “People didn’t prepare for the tourism recovery to come back so quickly.”
“This will be a yearly event held only in Miami. It will only grow larger,” said Olga Ramudo, owner of Express Travel. “It is supporting the outbound routes of MIA. The bureau does a great job inbound, but we need to support both.”
University presidents at the expo are to discuss study abroad programs, Ms. Ramudo said. “What is the importance for students at the University of Miami, Florida International University and Miami Dade College? How does it open their education and horizons, along with students worldwide?”
“We don’t have an event like this in Miami,” Mr. Aedo said. “We hope we continue the trade-eccentric thing here. It will support tourism and high-profile leaders within tourism and the political industry that will be here to speak first hand.”
https://www.miamitodaynews.com/2021/07/13/expo-to-bring-thousands-in-travel-trade-to-miami-international-airport/
