FITUR Guns For Record Attendance

Organizers of the 2004 International Tourism Fair –the world’s first top event of the year for the leisure industry- hope to set a new record high of attendants. FITUR will take place at the Juan Carlos I Fairgrounds from January 28 to February 1.

As preparations for the 24th edition of FITUR are almost done, planners are expecting a turnout of as many as 10,000 companies from 170 countries, embracing in all some 77,000 square yards of exhibition space, up 2.5 percent compared to last year’s tradeshow.

For the first time ever, the IFEMA Fairgrounds will be completely used for the event in an area that tallies 150,000 square yards. The Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) will highlight at FITUR for the first time as a group the products of its members.

FITUR is considered one of the world’s top-three events linked to the hospitality industry, alongside the Milan Fair in Italy (held in February) and Germany’s Berlin Fair in March.

In each and every of these fairs, Cuba has always turned out with very traditional stands featuring companies from the turf and others headquartered on the island nation. Cuba’s offerings include luring travel packages introduced to international tour operators and travel agents, as well as the highlights of its own destinations. Cuba hopes to come in for 2 million tourists in 2004.