Political instability across the U.S. and concerns about overtourism and sustainability topped the agenda at this year’s LATA Expo.
Delegates were told there has been a rise in UK travellers visiting Latin America, but there are worries about “chainsaw politics” in the U.S. With many flights to the region going through the U.S., tighter security checks could cause some consumer caution, especially with far-ahead bookings.
Other key trends identified in the panel discussions were:
Overtourism: There is growing awareness around managing tourist volume in fragile destinations like the Galápagos and Machu Picchu, with businesses emphasising responsible and planned travel.
Rail Travel: Wanderlust market analysis shows a rise in searches for rail travel journeys, allowing people to see a lot of a country without the hassle of packing/unpacking every day or two, in addition to aiding sustainability initiatives.
Late Bookings: Operators reported that travellers are booking closer to departure dates due to uncertainty. Long-haul, high-budget trips are harder to confirm in advance. There’s a noticeable hesitancy from travellers and travel agents to commit early, driven by concerns about political instability and global events.
Air Connectivity Insights: Costa Rica relies heavily on international arrivals (95% of air seats), while Brazil is dominated by domestic travel. Argentina and Brazil show strong bilateral travel, and Ecuador has increased its domestic connectivity. Security and climate perceptions are generally positive across all countries.
Outbound Growth: Daniel Benians, MD Distinctive Americas, shared that while the market can feel unpredictable, with both highs and lows, its business just had its best-ever month (May 2025), breaking previous records.
Inbound Growth: Jascivan Carvalho, Inbound Business Director Tropic Travel, reported strong inbound growth, particularly from the UK (up 60%), despite initial concerns from political events in the U.S. and Latin America.
Perception vs. Reality: Latin America is still perceived as relatively safe and appealing, even with political instability. Travellers are curious and resilient, particularly those familiar with the region.
LATA Expo Conference 2025 took place this year in Windsor on Monday June 2.
