New attractions, destinations, hotels, and airlines

The ABAV –Tourism Fair of the Americas is full of novelties for its 41stedition, to be held between September 4 and 8 atPavilhão de Exposições do Anhembi, in São Paulo. At the openingparty, the fair will have the exciting “Champagne Party”, offered by Portuguese hotel network Dom Pedro Hotels on Wednesday,September 4, at 11pm at Club Disco, in São Paulo. Tickets for the opening celebration will be distributed in the Dom Pedro Hotels booth, located atStreet J, booth 54.

For the first time, the Netherlands will bring its traditional giant cheese to the fair, with ABAV’s logo. With the presence of the association’s representatives, the official cutting ceremony will take place on September 4, at 5pm, in the VIP room. There will be a wine tasting session after the ceremony. Another attractionwill be an Indonesian dance group that will perform during the event, giving participants the opportunity to get to know a little bit more about thatcountry’s culture.

Another example of a destination that will showcase the charms of its culture, art and cuisine is Peru. The country has confirmed its participation in the fair, and it will highlight its capital, Lima, and the city of Cusco, 130 km away from Machu Picchu and one of South America’s regions that most attract tourists. Among Brazilian destinations, the state of Minas Gerais will introduce the new MinasPass, an e-card that gives access to the state’s main touristattractions.

Visitors attending the best and largest tourism fair in the Southern Continent and Hemisphere will also have the opportunity to experience the feeling of skiing on a slope of 40 square meters, which will be assembled inside the event venue. This will be the biggest snow tourism program ever held for Brazilians.Comprising 16 ski stations, the program will have a new lookfor the ABAV, with more complete packages and more facilities.

In addition to all the attractions and novelties already confirmed, the fair will also have new exhibitors. For the first time the event will be an opportunity for newcomers to promote destinations, hotels and airlines. They include: destinations Korea, Maldives and the Netherlands, and hotels Hotel.info and Hotel DO. Airline Air Europa will also participate in the ABAV fair for the first time, as will Bedsonline, one of the world’s major hotel and service suppliers.

“With more than 2,700 exhibitors and alreadyknown as the largest and most important tourism fair promoted in the Southern Hemisphere, the trend is that the event will grow more at each edition, either in the number of exhibitors or visitors. Responsibility also tends to increase,” said Antonio Azevedo, president of the Brazilian Travel Agencies Association (ABAV).

For end consumers, tickets will cost R$15.00 per day per person. Promotional packages for more than one person will also be available: R$20.00 for two people; R$25.00 for three people; R$30.00 for four people. Visitors under 12 years of age and students, upon showing proof of school enrollment, pay half-price. Entrance is free for children under two, retirees and pensioners upon presentation of ID.