BUYER APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

This application closed on 13 March 2024. Applications will be reviewed in March with final selections made in early April 2024.

ATTA, the Tourism Authority of Panama and PROMTUR Panama, would like to invite you to apply for a Hosted Buyer opportunity for the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) from 7-10 October 2024 in Panama.

In partnership with our host destinations, we are able to offer varying levels and options for hosting at each event. To be considered, please fill out our application.

Hosted opportunities at the Adventure Travel World Summit (ATWS) involve the following:
Pre-Summit Adventure (3-5 days) + ATWS (Day of Adventure + 3 days Conference)

Schedule

If selected, the entire trip length will vary in duration from nine (9) to eleven (11) days, depending on the final selection of Pre-Summit Adventure tour options (3-5 days in length) plus the travel time from your origin city. Tour options will be made available after applications are selected.

The Summit itself is Monday-Thursday 7-10 October 2024 (including Day of Adventure on Monday 7 October), with return departures on Friday 11 October 2024. Selected buyers are required to attend the duration of the Summit, no early departures. If selected, you can expect the trip to be from 9 to 11 days long..

Who Should Apply?

Please read the following information thoroughly to understand the details and requirements of the offer. This offer is valid for one delegate per company. The attendee must be a decision-maker for itinerary development. By completing the application form, you will be included in our selection process for one of the limited number of Hosted Buyer spots. Selection is not guaranteed.

The following profiles are considered ‘Buyers’ in the ATTA community:

Outbound Tour Operators
Outbound tour operators craft ideal itineraries and sell those itineraries to individuals or groups as a packaged product. These specialized tour operators provide valuable insight into global travel trends and help match destination products to market demand. Itineraries are often multi-day, running from three to over twenty days depending on the destination and experience.

Travel Advisors (also known as Travel Agents, Travel Curators)
The travel advisor is a curator of an experience for a consumer. They can sell various packaged trips or holidays from different tour operators and therefore provide a more diverse range of options in addition to tailoring their own itineraries in direct collaboration with DMCs.

Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) / Web-Based Marketplace
OTAs curate products from the DMC and directly connect the DMC with the consumer. The DMC is the one crafting the product and selling it to the consumer while the OTA takes a commission for bringing the consumer to them.

What do they all have in common?
They are all sourcing (or buying from) local Destination Management Companies (DMCs), or ground handlers and / or sending clients from their home country to other destinations.

The ATTA and our Panama hosts are interested in buyer delegates who would like to promote or sell Panama as a destination. A special consideration will be given for those based in:

• Argentina
• Brazil
• Canada
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• France
• Germany
• Spain
• United States

Hosted Buyer Requirements

If a Hosted Buyer spot is offered and accepted, the Hosted Buyer agrees to:

• Participate in a Pre-Summit Adventure 
• Participate in a Day of Adventure (7 October 2024)
• Stay for the duration of ATWS (7-10 October 2024)
• Participate in ATWS Marketplace Day on Wednesday, 9 October 2024
• Answer surveys sent by the ATTA

ATWS Marketplace Day is on Wednesday, 9 October and is required for buyers to meet with suppliers and destinations from around the world. It includes pre-scheduled meetings in both morning and afternoon marketplace sessions

Hosted and Discounted/Subsidized Spots

In the interest of accommodating more Buyer Delegates, there are discounted spots available in addition to fully-hosted spots. The same application serves for both.

HOSTED Buyer Delegates receive:

• Complimentary event registration (including Day of Adventure)
• Access to the Marketplace with pre-schedule meetings
• Accommodations during the event
• A complimentary 3-5 day Pre-Summit Adventure (PSA) in Panama

Fully-hosted buyers (with travel costs covered) are required to participate in a Pre-Summit Adventure and are expected to be researching the experience for potential new itineraries. They are also required to meet with suppliers and destinations during the Marketplace sessions.

DISCOUNTED Buyer Delegates receive:

• Complimentary event registration (including Day of Adventure)  (Registration value $2,199)
• Access to the Marketplace with pre-schedule meetings
• Option to participate in a complimentary 3-5 day Pre-Summit Adventure (PSA) in Panama. (Only if Panama is part of their portfolio)

Accommodations, international airfare, and ground transfers will not be covered. Participation in a hosted Pre-Summit Adventure (PSA) is optional for discounted buyer delegates. If participating in a complimentary PSA, buyers are expected to be researching the experience for potential new itineraries.

All Hosted and Discounted Buyers are required to meet with suppliers and destinations during the Marketplace sessions.

Pre-Summit Adventures (PSA)

Selected buyers will receive information about the process for reserving and selecting the PSAs after registration is confirmed.

About the Selection Process

• Hosted buyers selections will be made from the pool of applications received.
• All applications will be considered, reviewed, and selected with the destination partner.
• After initial evaluation, criteria used in the final buyers selection includes:
  • Representation from the specific countries listed above (limited per country).
  • A variety of representation of types of buyers, with a mix of Outbound Tour Operators, Travel Advisors and OTAs, and a mix of generalists to specialists (trekking, cycling, wildlife…)
  • A mix of buyers new to ATTA events with those who have attended prior events.
  • ATTA members and nonmembers are welcome to apply
• Due to the large quantity of applications typically received for a limited number of spots, not all qualified applicants can be selected.
• You will receive an email from the ATTA informing you of the status of your application.

This application closes on 13 March 2024. Applications will be reviewed in March with final selections made in early April 2024.