ABAV gets set with plenty of time to go

The Brazilian Travel Agency Association (ABAV) is wrapping up preparations for its 31st Tourism Meeting with Rio de Janeiro serving as its unmoved host town from this year on. Dubbed the Fairs of the Americas, the meeting is scheduled for October 22 to 25 at the Rio Centro Convention Center. The exhibition area will comprise 31,122 square meters this time around for an 87 percent increase compared to the Recife 2002 edition.

Based on bookings made so far, event planners expect a turnout of over 600 exhibitors. This time up, the Fairs of the Americas will once again take place within the framework of the Brazil Today, pieced together with a view to promote Brazil’s receptive tourism with a special area that will welcome foreign visitors exclusively invited for this event.

The permanent coming of the fair to a key city like Rio de Janeiro will permit foreign tour operators to make better planning of their capabilities and resources during the event, said Issa Garbin, general coordinator of ABAV events.

Mrs. Garbin underlined the benefits of the city and indicated Rio de Janeiro boasts a huge hotel network big enough to accommodate a larger amount of professionals, provide more air connections and stand close to the premiere purchasing and selling markets.

As it has traditionally happened, the 31st Fair will happen together with Brazilian Congress on Travel Agencies, coming this time around with three technical seminars and three full-room debates on the travel sector. Fair attendants will sample both products and services from all Brazilian states and lots of world destinations.

The ABAV Tourism Exhibit will come to pass at a very critical time for the schedule of world tourism-related events. That explains why the fair has already been assigned fixed dates for coming editions through the year 2007: Oct. 22 to 26, 2003; Oct. 27 to 31, 2004; Oct. 26 to 30, 2005; Oct. 25 to 29, 2006, and Oct. 24 to 28, 2007. For further information, click on www.abav.com.br