During the event, which took place on the 16th and 17th, Capdevila spoke exclusively to Travel2latam, highlighting the importance of the group's participation in the second edition of the event. "This was the first time we participated and we were surprised by the quality and quantity of travel agents present, in addition to the best suppliers in the country, with whom we maintain fundamental relationships," he said.
The GEA Group, founded over 25 years ago in Spain, is today the largest independent travel agency management group in Latin America, with a presence in five countries: Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Peru and Brazil. "We have approximately 3,900 associated travel agencies in all these countries and our goal is to continue growing, expanding into more markets," highlighted Capdevila. He also stressed the importance of selecting agencies based on professionalism, ethics and track record, positioning the GEA Group as a company of great international prestige.
The diversity of destinations offered by the group's agencies was also mentioned. In Europe, destinations such as North Africa, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco are on the rise, while in Brazil, the focus remains on the Caribbean, the United States and South American countries such as Argentina, Chile and Peru. "Each market has its own particularities and we are attentive to these demands to offer the best options to our clients," he added.
Claudia Bagna, commercial manager of Grupo GEA Brasil, also participated in the event and spoke about the group's growth in the Brazilian market and the strategic partnerships that have been developed. "We seek agreements with the best suppliers in the market, who give us confidence and offer the best products and services to our associated agencies," she explained. Among the partners mentioned by Bagna are Sakura, Diversa, Viagens Promo, Universal Assist and Coris, all respected names in the sector.
Bagna also highlighted technological innovation as a differentiator for the GEA Group. "We developed a fully customizable and manageable website, accessible to the group's agencies. This allows them to sell their own packages and products, increasing credibility and versatility with customers," he explained. According to Bagna, this technology offers agencies a powerful tool to ensure passenger satisfaction and trust.
The GEA Group continues to consolidate its position as a leader in the independent travel agency sector in Latin America, investing in growth, innovation and strategic partnerships to continue meeting the demands of a constantly evolving market.
Report and photo: Mary de Aquino.