South American Hotel & Tourism Investment Conference drew more than 350 businessmen from Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Argentina, Mexico, USA, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Venezuela, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, France, Spain, Grand Cayman, and Bolivia.

This year's event, organized by HVS Buenos Aires, was held in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, on September 27-28.

Since the inaugural gathering in 2008, SAHIC has been the perfect place to promote investment opportunities in South American countries and a great occasion for key industry players, executives from major international holdings, and investors to explore new projects and build business contacts and relationships. As the nation selected for SAHIC'S third gathering, Colombia is regarded as a hidden treasure that everyone is eager to discover.

Arturo García Rosa, President of SAHIC, HVS Buenos Aires, and HVS Lima, noted that Latin America is undergoing major development and growth. "It is expected that hundreds of millions of dollars will be invested in the hotel industry in countries like Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina." With regard to the event, he stated, "SAHIC 2010 exceeded all our expectations. We had two intense days with very good results for all participants. The sessions were amazing, and the business transactions generated during this event will no doubt be reflected in the region."

At the opening session, the President and Founder of HVS Global Hospitality Services, Steve Rushmore, observed that there is a positive atmosphere in the region. "We should seize the moment to promote new projects, create new business opportunities, and position the market in order to become more competitive."

Four awards were presented during the conference to acknowledge the promotion and encouragement of the hospitality industry in South America. The SAHIC 2010 Awards were given to:

• Tourist Promotion/Campaign: Includes marketing, promotion and/or promotions, and PR campaigns. Acknowledges creativity, innovation, clearly defined goals and their measurement, and program proven results. Winner: PROEXPORT – Colombia. "¡Colombia es pasión!"
• International Merit Award: This award is given to an individual or organization in acknowledgement of outstanding contribution to the travel and tourism industry. The winner, by garnering global exposure for Brazil through the promotion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympics: Ministry of Tourism of Brazil.
• Developer: To the businessman, developer, or investment group that year after year continues to accept new challenges in the region, either in connection with the development of new investments or the recovery, improvement, or upgrade of major existing projects. Winner: Joe Koechlin, Chairman & CEO of Inkaterra Peru.
• Hotelier or Key Figure: To the executive and/or CEO whose work in the region excels in terms of experience, background, and outstanding contribution to the development of the hospitality industry. The winner, with over 30 years in the industry: Alvaro Diago, Chief Operating Officer, Latin America & Caribbean, InterContinental Hotels Group.

SAHIC 2011 will be held on September 19-20. The host country is to be announced.

For more information, visit www.sahic.com.

About HVS:
HVS, the world's leading consulting and services organization, focuses on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. HVS Buenos Aires, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary of operation, works actively in the Latin American market, offering a wide range of services, both for the hotel industry and for tourist destinations and projects. The firm provides hospitality services to the nations in the region, including – in addition to Argentina – Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Bolivia, and Paraguay, among others.

Press Contact:
Flavia Salvatierra
Press Coordinator SAHIC
Tel: +54 (11) 4515-1461 ext. 210
fsalvatierra@sahic.com