ABAV – International Tourism Expo is the largest and most important travel trade fair in the Americas and the Southern Hemisphere, and it is promoted by the most representative entity of the Brazilian tourism market: the Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies (ABAV), which concentrates over 80% of the country’s sales force, including both national and international destinations.

By gathering the best agencies to promote the best businesses, the event has become an international benchmark, allowing for representatives of more than 60 countries to interact with the Brazilian market, recognized as the world’s seventh-largest economy.

Given the increasing importance of the fair globally, ABAV – International Tourism Expowill have its 42nd edition held from September 24 to 28, 2014, at the Anhembi Exhibition Pavillion, located in São Paulo, Brazil, which is South America’s largest financial, corporate and trade center.

Due to the high number of qualified travel agents from the most diverse market niches participating in the event, and the presence of 800 hosted buyers, the event will have 3,500 exhibitors, representing 65 countries, and 40,000 professional visitors from all industry segments. It will, therefore, contribute in a decisive manner to the consolidation of businesses among companies of the five continents, benefiting the whole global production chain of the sector.

Among the exhibitors are Brazilian and international airlines, the top domestic and international tourism operators, cruise lines, MICE companies (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), the top domestic and international communication and hotel networks, car rental companies, companies that provide solutions to the trade, in addition to ski, ecotourism, and adventure tourism stations.

A recent study by the Tourism Observatory, a research center of the Universtity of São Paulo, shows that according to 74% of the exhibitors, ABAV 2013 has resulted in new businesses. The study also shows that 37% of the interviewees estimated the event generated a financial volume ranging from R$51,000 to R$250,000. The visitors’ profile is another reason for the excellent results—59% are directors and managers, among which 34% make the final decision on the purchase and 44% have an influence on planning and recommendation.

Organized by Promo Inteligência Turística, the event will once again count on partnerships with Abeta (Brazilian Association of Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Operators), Abracorp (Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies – Corporate Island), and Braztoa (Brazilian Association of Tourism Operators – 41st Braztoa Commercial meeting), and the support of the Ministry of Tourism, Embratur, São Paulo Turismo, and Anhembi. Among the strategic partnerships, ABAV 2014 has renewed its alliance with ITB Berlin and BTL 2013 (Portugal), and also relies on the support of sister entities that operate throughout South America.

The entities are the following: AAAVYT (Asociación Argentina de Agencias de Viajes y Turismo), ABAVYT (Asociación Boliviana de Agencias de Viajes y Turismo), ACHET (Asociación Chilena de Empresas de Turismo), ANATO (Asociación Colombiana de Agencias de Viajes y Turismo), ASATUR (Asociación Paraguaya de Agencias de Viajes y Empresas de Turismo), APAVIT (Asociación Peruana de Agencias de Viajes y Turismo), APAVT (Associação Portuguesa das Agências de Viagens e Turismo), AUDAVI (Asociación Uruguaya de Agencias de Viajes), and AVAVIT (Asociación Venezolana de Agencias de Viajes y Turismo.

For further information, please visit the official website of the event .