Outlets eye wealthy Latin travelers

Citing a boom in travel from Latin America to the U.S., Indianapolis-based Simon Property Group Inc. recently initiated a drive-and-save plan to generate traffic to some of its properties. The target demographic, according to Simon: “well-heeled South American tourists.”

Simon owns Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, with 220 stores, and The Shops at Nanuet, where Sears and Macy”™s remain open during mall reconstruction. Woodbury is part of the promotion; Nanuet is not.

The retail development company teamed with Budget Car Rental Inc. to incentivize Simon shopping for those who opt for Budget.

When travelers make a Budget reservation in Boston, Miami, New York or Orlando, they will receive a shopping voucher that can be redeemed for a package of coupons, discounts and other special offers at Woodbury Common and at Burlington Mall and Wrentham Village Premium Outlets in Boston; four malls in Miami; and three malls in Orlando.

“Last year, foreign tourist spending in the United States rose to a new record, and we are seeing some of the biggest increases coming from Latin American countries such as Brazil,” said Jeannine Haas, chief marketing officer of the Avis Budget Group Inc. “We’re excited to provide additional incentives to promote international-inbound travel, which is one of our key global strategic priorities.”

The campaign will be promoted throughout Latin America via online ads, search engine optimization, travel agents and on Budget websites in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Uruguay.