The Latin American Travel Association (LATA) returned to the House of Commons last night for its parliamentary reception hosted by Fabian Hamilton MP, the chairman of the All-Party-Parliamentary-Group on Latin America, and Martin Johnson, chairman of the Latin American Travel Association (LATA).
The annual event brought together MPs and Peers, Latin American ambassadors, diplomats, LATA members, key media, and the wider UK travel industry to celebrate a number of key achievements and personalities that have contributed to building positive relationships between Latin America and the United Kingdom.
LATA SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD
Studio Lambert, the multi award-winning production company behind BBC One’s Celebrity Race Across the World, was the recipient of this year’s LATA Special Recognition Award, for an unprecedented second year running. Following series two in 2024, which travelled from Brazil to Chile, last year’s series three saw four celebrity teams embark on a 5,900 km race from the Isla Mujeres, just off the easternmost point of Mexico to the finish line on the remote Península de La Guajira in Colombia. The footage encapsulated the beauty of the region and warmth of those people the teams met on the way, showcasing Central America to a mainstream BBC audience in the most visual way.
Collecting the award on behalf of Studio Lambert was Post-Production Manager James Williams, who shared “On behalf of the production team and the cast we are thrilled to receive this award, especially being the first to receive it two years’ running. We’re so pleased to hear that the 2024 series continues to have a positive impact on customers wanting to travel to South America, and hope it does the same for Central America. It was a pleasure to film the series there and knowing we’ve shone a positive spotlight on the region, hopefully changing some preconceptions along the way, is something we are all incredibly proud of.”
LATA HALL OF FAME
The ceremony also saw David Horwell inducted into the LATA Hall of Fame; an honour which celebrates members of the travel community who have made a significant contribution to the growth, progress and success of LATA and the travel industry. Horwell was one of the early promoters of tourism to Latin America, with a career spanning over 40 years and has been a member of LATA almost since its inception.
He founded Galapagos Adventure Tours in 1985, the first UK tour company to specialise exclusively in tours to the islands, which was rebranded as Select Latin America in 2004. Horwell was also one of the earliest licensed naturalist guides in the Galapagos Islands, where he spent two years at a time when tourism was only just emerging and his reflections were published in The Sunday Times Magazine. He has authored two books on the region including Bradt Guides’ Galapagos Wildlife, which after 25 years and four editions remains a definitive reference guide.
His contributions to the Latin American travel industry – spanning guiding, writing, photography, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and industry service – make him a truly deserving candidate for the LATA Hall of Fame.
Martin Johnson, Chair of LATA of the Latin American Travel Association (LATA) commented:
“I was delighted to welcome our members, ambassadors, dignitaries and travel colleagues back to parliament for LATA’s annual reception. Whilst impossible not to acknowledge what’s happening in the Middle East at the moment, it was great to bring everyone together again to celebrate the individuals who are advocates of Latin America. I would like to thank Fabian Hamilton MP for hosting us. It was an honour to induct David Horwell, founder of UK tour operator Select Latin America into our Hall of Fame for his longstanding commitment and dedication to promoting Latin America. We were delighted to recognise Studio Lambert for a second year running for their work in portraying Central America so beautifully with the third BBC series of Celebrity Race Across the World. It was wonderful to see the region portrayed so well and on primetime television, encapsulating what we as industry insiders already know makes it such a special place to visit.”
Images from the evening can be seen here. Please credit Sarah Lucy Brown if you use them.