“Would you go to a brand-new, 100% offline travel fair for three days in the remote Brazilian Amazon?” When REMOTE Latin America launched its first REMOTE Immersion in 2016, 93 intrepid travel professionals said “yes.” What began as an outside-the-box experiment became a truly one-of-a-kind experience — giving participants the rare opportunity to witness the birth of a promising and unconventional travel gathering.
Doing business aboard a cruise ship, surrounded by towering trees, deep, piranha-filled waters and a chorus of distracting birds isn’t the kind of experience guests were used to having at traditional trade shows.
Of course, there were the rookie mistakes — like scheduling meetings with local providers on the last day, the morning after a particularly lively farewell party. In hindsight, not our most brilliant scheduling decision.
Still, once everyone had recognized the lasting connections being forged in that informal setting, the humidity and logistical quirks weren’t just accepted — they were welcomed as part of the adventure.
One notable aspect of the first edition was the limited profile of participants. Initially, only Brazilian travel designers attended as buyers, meeting with a curated selection of Latin American hoteliers. Many exhibitors were members of SUL Hotels – Small Unique Lodges, the boutique collection that serves as the original roots of REMOTE. The immersive annual event was created to connect tour operators with SUL hoteliers — and others — in an intimate, nature-based setting.
Ultimately, the inaugural REMOTE Immersion was a milestone in the world of boutique experiential travel trade shows.
