São Paulo – The 41st Tourism Fair of the Americas, organized by the Brazilian Travel Agency Association (Abav), should take place from September 4th to 8th at the Anhembi Exhibition Pavilion, in São Paulo. The main focuses of the fair are international destinations and, despite appreciation of the dollar, the perspective of greater business. “Some 6.5 million Brazilians travel abroad each year, but that is still little, and the tendency is for exponential growth,” said to ANBA the International Relations vice president at Abav, Leonel Rossi.
Appreciation of the North American currency over the real makes international trips by Brazilians more expensive. Rossi, however, hopes for exchange rates not to significantly affect the sector. “Expectations are for operators to freeze exchange rates at around R$ 2.20 in an attempt not to scare clients away,” he said. “The problem is the instability, if the dollar settles at a certain level, people get used to it and travel,” he added.
On Wednesday (21), the commercial exchange rate was at each dollar going for R$ 2.45, with appreciation of 2.38% over the previous day. This is the highest exchange rate in five years. In August, the North American currency rose 7.39% and totalled 19.68% appreciation in the year.
Among the causes for the appreciation of the dollar is the perspective that the US Central Bank, the Fed, should end the so called “quantitative easing”, and the monetary stimulus put in practice after the international financial crisis. These actions were implemented aiming at injecting dollars in the economy. When faced with the end of this process, the demand for the currency increases and the price rises.
Rossi, however, believes in the potential growth in the Brazilian travel market. “Last year, ten new airlines started flying to Brazil,” he pointed out. “If they [the companies] are coming [to the country] it is because there is demand,” he added. At the Abav fair, according to him, 60% of the exhibitors promote international destinations and 40%, domestic ones.
“People come from the world over, buyers and exhibitors,” said the executive. Despite the international appeal, Rossi recalled that the 26 Brazilian states and the Federal District will be represented.
Arabs
Among the international attractions are Arab countries like Jordan, to have its own stand, Palestine, through the Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association and the Arab Hotel Association. Rossi pointed out that, despite not having their own stands, other destinations in the Middle East and North Africa should also be represented. “Most of the operators will be there and many of them work with Arab destinations,” he said.
The executive also explained that he recently visited Marrakesh and Casablanca, in Morocco, and that he observed that tourism there is booming. Royal Air Maroc, the country’s airline, plans to inaugurate a flight to Brazil in December.
From the 4th to the 6th, Wednesday to Friday, the fair will only be open to professionals in the sector, but from the 7th to the 8th, on the weekend, this year’s edition brings a novelty, which is being open to the public in general. “We understand that if you set up stands, a structure for three days of visitation by professionals, why not make use of the opportunity for the public to be able to enjoy it,” said Rossi. He pointed out that visitors may collect all necessary information about trips, including prices, but that no sales will be made at the event.
Another highlight of the fair, according to him, is the Knowledge Village, a space turned to talks and presentations; an area turned to LGBT tourism, in partnership with ITB Berlin, which organizes a fair by the same name in Germany; business roundtables and a snowboard course. “It has great chances of working out,” said the executive.
Service
41st Tourism Fair of the Americas
From September 4th to 8th, at the Anhembi Exhibition Pavilion
Av. Olavo Fontoura, 1209, São Paulo, SP
On the 4th, 5th and 6th, from 12:00 pm to 7:00 pm, exclusively for sector professionals
Admittance is free for Abav associates and affiliates, for others, the cost is R$ 50 (US$ 21)
On the 7th and 8th, from 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, open to the public in general
Tickets will cost R$ 15 (US$ 6.20) per person, R$ 20 (US$ 8.30) for two, R$ 25 (US$ 10.40) for three and R$ 30 (US$ 12.50) for four
Further information
Tel.: (+55 11) 3905-6318, from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm
E-mail: querovisitar@promo.tur.br
Site: www.feiradasamericas.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
