THE doors to recession-hit UK are ready to spring open wide for samba-loving Latin Americans with increased disposable income and a lust for travel.

The downturn, plus weakening Sterling, is the green light signal for an upturn to the UK and also the remainder of Europe in visitor numbers from Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Mexico. Other destinations are also benefiting. According to Chile's tourism board, the departure terminals in 2007 saw 347,000 Chileans head for China; 128,000 go to Japan; 72,000 leave for India.

Japan has been welcoming businessmen into Tokyo direct from Mexico City and Brazil has watched a four-fold increase in planes to China. Latin American visitors travelling to Australia went up 23 % last year while New Zealand also benefited in 2007.

The major growth is identified in the WTM Global Trends Report, in association with Euromonitor International, the leading global market intelligence company. World Travel Market, the leading business event for the global travel industry, is at London ExCeL from November 10-13.

"UK often seemed financially inaccessible to Latin America", said Fiona Jeffery, chairman of World Travel Market, "but tourists can now look forward to cashing in, encouraged by discounting."

Although Latin America's strong economic position is likely to decrease in coming years, it will not be noticeable enough to impact worryingly on the middle classes buying holidays overseas.

"Long haul trips will remain on their agenda, helped by the reduction in fuel prices and low interest rates", added Jeffery. Spain is a top destination choice because of the common language and similar cultures. But there are also powerful historic pulls to Germany and Italy.

The 2006 World Cup lured contingents of fans to Germany. The report outlines how European carriers are seizing the opportunity, expanding capacity and adding direct routes. British Airways' business link agreement with Iberia places them usefully to become a hub for Latin American flights. The Schengen borderless zone arrangement could increase tours to Eastern Europe.

Asia has already seen extra connections with Latin America, forged primarily through business ties. Euromonitor International stresses that Brazil's healthy economic state resulted in an overall 5.1 million air passengers last year.

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For further information please contact the WTM Press Office on +44 (0) 207 069 6119/6120 or visit the WTM International Press Centre onsite at ExCeL London, Level 3.

After 13 November, for further information please email katy.kenyon@reedexpo.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS World Travel Market - New Admissions Policy World Travel Market (WTM), the global trade event for the travel industry announces a new admission policy, designed to benefit both exhibitors and visitors alike. The new WTM policy includes changes to the structure of the daily format, with WTM Opening Day on Monday 10 November, open to Exhibitors, Exhibitor Invitees, Ministers, and press. The following three days, Tuesday 11 November - Thursday 13 November, will be accessible to all Meridian Club members, Travel Trade professionals, Ministers and press, giving participants more flexibility to choose the days they wish to visit the exhibition.

Students will be invited to attend WTM on Wednesday 12 November and Thursday 13 November, where they will participate in a structured education programme. Individuals from the retail arm of the travel industry including travel agents, homeworkers and call centre staff will be invited to attend WTM on Thursday 13 November.

WTM remains a trade only exhibition. A full programme of conferences, seminars, B2B meetings, and industry initiatives will run across three days, Tuesday 11 November - Thursday 13 November and includes the UNWTO Minister's Summit, WTM World Responsible Tourism Day (WTM WRTD), along with a number of new initiatives on Thursday 13 November, such as an extended Responsible Tourism programme and exhibitor to exhibitor networking initiatives. For further details visit www.wtmlondon.com

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