WTM Latin America received a visit from Rubia Coser, Director of Travel Next Minas

Among the highlights of the event, the presence of Rubia Coser, director of Travel Next Minas, drew attention for her strategic view of the future of tourism events in Brazil. With a focus on segmentation, sustainability and training, she shared the guidelines that guide the Minas Gerais edition of the fair, scheduled for August 19 and 20, in Belo Horizonte.

“The travel agent needs to understand what he will find”

For Rubia, one of the great differences of Travel Next Minas is the way it organizes and directs the experience of participants. “One of the trends is to show the paths within the fair. When the agent arrives, he needs to understand what he will find”, he says. With segmented spaces — such as those focused on luxury, religious and nature tourism — the Minas Gerais event facilitates the visitor's journey, who can even schedule specific meetings through the fair's app.

This segmentation also includes spaces dedicated to the Espinhaço Mountain Range, the Mantiqueira region and the religious routes of Minas Gerais, which total more than 11 routes. “We will have a wing just for operators, a wing for states. Everything to make it more professional and organized”, reinforces Coser.

Sustainability as a pillar

Another highlight of the director’s speech was the focus on sustainability at events. “Today, 80% of Travel Next Minas is made of glass. We work with this sustainable aspect,” she revealed. She also highlighted the use of recyclable materials, stands planned in harmony with suppliers and the concern for large and accessible spaces. “We want people to enjoy being there, to feel good. That’s what care is all about,” she added.

Minas as stage and protagonist

When asked about the choice of Minas Gerais to host Travel Next, Rubia did not hesitate: “Minas Gerais is a city with great gastronomy, a wonderful air hub, and is culturally and welcoming.” The partnership with public agencies, such as the State Secretariat and BeloTur, strengthens the structure of the event, which combines the private sector with the institutional sector to expand the fair’s reach and relevance.

Facilities and fan travel

Among the new features for this edition is the launch of fan travel, economic packages that include transportation and accommodation, to facilitate access for travel agents from all over Brazil. “The partner hotel industry offers unbeatable airfare,” says Rubia Coser. The idea is for these packages to be available from various regions, with information centralized on the fair’s official website.

Internationalization and training as a differentiator

With ongoing negotiations with destinations such as Chile, Curaçao, Aruba, the Cayman Islands and Egypt, as well as airlines such as TAP, Travel Next Minas reinforces its international character. “We have a team that visits international fairs to understand the trends,” says Rubia. More than just selling stands, the fair aims to transform the travel agent’s experience: “They need to leave better than when they arrived. Our idea is to take care of them.”

Travel Next also invests heavily in training. “We have already closed deals with Europa Mundo and Honish, for example. Operators like this, because they know that the agent will find a lot to do.”

The Minas Gerais edition of Travel Next will take place on August 19 and 20, in Belo Horizonte. Registration will open soon on the official website and will include access to the exclusive app, which allows scheduling meetings, choosing itineraries and connecting directly with suppliers.

Report and photo: Mary de Aquino.