As part of ANATO's Tourism Showcase, Travel2latam spoke with Daniela Madrid, Senior Manager, Business Development at Universal Parks & Resorts.
What are Universal Parks & Resorts' expectations when participating in ANATO and in the Colombian market?
We are very excited and happy to be present in Colombia, a key market for Universal in Latin America. It is so important to us that we are launching the promotion of Universal's Epic Universe in ANATO. Yesterday we had an event with Visit Florida, where we shared material and images so that the Colombian public can learn about this new park and understand how it will change their experience in Orlando. Now, Colombian travelers will no longer visit the destination just for two days, but for at least a week, and Epic Universe is here to transform this experience.
How is Epic Universe being promoted in Colombia and what are the immediate plans?
During ANATO, we are implementing a strong promotional campaign, including ticket sales and offering all the details about this new destination. On Friday, we will hold a massive training for Colombian travel agents, and then continue with similar events in Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Brazil. It is essential to educate travel agents so that they feel confident selling this new product, which represents a significant and unique investment in Universal's history.
What makes Universal Epic Universe special and what can guests expect from this new park?
Epic Universe is comprised of five unique worlds, crafted in great detail and designed to appeal to multiple generations and families. One of the main worlds is Celestial Park, which connects to the other portals. These include Super Nintendo World, featuring characters like Mario, Luigi, Yoshi, Donkey Kong and Princess Peach. There will also be Dark Universe, featuring classic Universal monsters, and a world based on the popular How to Train Your Dragon franchise, where guests can enjoy a unique experience.
Another big news is the return of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, which will combine elements of "Fantastic Beasts" and "Harry Potter," transporting guests to the British Ministry of Magic in a unique new setting.
What are Universal's main goals for this year, especially in terms of sales and promotion?
One of our goals is to ensure that travel agents understand how to sell the new park and the benefits of the new tickets, especially multi-day tickets. Universal is no longer a destination to visit in one day, but to enjoy over three or four days. In addition, we have three new hotels that add to the experience, offering benefits such as exclusive transportation and early access to the park.
How does Universal view the evolution of the Latin American market, and what goals have been set for this year?
Latin America is a key region for us, with countries such as Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Argentina and Brazil leading the growth. This year, our goal is to welcome 47,000 Colombian tourists, 11,000 Argentine tourists and 50,000 Brazilian tourists. This growth is driven by the high demand for products such as Epic Universe, which will undoubtedly attract more tourists from the region.
What is the role of airlines in Universal's expansion in Colombia and other Latin American countries?
During this event, we will have meetings with airlines to discuss how we can collaborate and increase the available seats for this year, with the aim of achieving our goals and facilitating access to more Latin American tourists.