Topical themes at Brazil’s largest travel trade show

In cooperation with ITB Berlin the ABAV Tourism Fair of the Americas will be presenting practice-based studies and new findings on tourism industry topics. 

The programme of seminars at Brazil’s largest travel trade show has now been announced. Besides addressing the topics of sustainability and adventure tourism, ITB Academy events will focus on Gay & Lesbian Travel and the impact of mega events on tourism. The 41st edition of the trade show is due to take place in São Paolo from 4 to 8 September 2013. For trade visitors admission to the show and seminars is free of charge.

On day one, under the heading of “Mega events and their effect on tourism”, Margaret Grantham of the German National Tourism Board (DZT) will speak about product development and diversification and the impact that mega events have on the image of tourism destinations. This topic will be of great interest to listeners, particularly in view of the forthcoming FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games in Brazil. 

The second day of the seminar series will focus on Gay & Lesbian Travel and will be moderated by Thomas Bömkes of Diversity Tourism UG, the LGBT partner of ITB Berlin. Rika Jean-Francois, a member of the board of the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) and ITB Berlin’s Diversity and LGBT officer, will provide a snapshot of this travel segment at global level. Thomas E. Roth of Community Marketing Inc. will also contribute with his presentation of the latest study findings. Afterwards, Ingrid Friz-Frizberg will report on the successful activities of the Vienna Tourism Board. Marta Dalla Chiesa of the trade organisation ABRAT Brazil will speak about gay and lesbian tourism in Brazil, and Átilo Medeiros of the Santa Catarina Tourism Board and Luciana Canto of São Paulo Turismo will provide an overview of their LGBT products. 

The third and last day of this series of seminars will dwell on responsible tourism. Gopinath Parayil, founder of the travel company The Blue Yonder, will speak about travel trends on the Indian sub-continent. Jean-Claude Razel, who specialises in adventure travel, will provide an overview of this fast-growing segment that is not without its critics. Thomas E. Roth of Community Marketing Inc. will present the latest findings of the Green Travel Report, and Nicolas Keutgen, founder of Tofiq House in Brazil, will speak about sustainability as a driving force for success. Andrea Leone, Social and Environment director of Brazil’s tour operator association Braztoa, will round off the series with a paper on its sustainability programme and the impact on the production chain. 

Rika Jean-Francois: “With such a list of outstanding speakers the programme of seminars promises to be of real benefit to all the listeners. We are confident that by addressing topical themes such as sustainability and diversity we will be setting the tone at this important trade show.“

This year, 30,000 trade visitors are once again expected to attend Brazil’s leading travel trade show. The organisers expect 2,700 exhibitors and 700 hosted buyers from a total of 60 countries to take part. This is the tenth time that ITB Berlin is partnering the ABAV Tourism Fair of the Americas. For the second time in a row Mercado & Eventos is a media partner of ITB@ABAV.

In 2013 ITB Berlin will again be represented with its own stand. Co-exhibitors include the German National Tourism Board (DZT). Among other topics ITB Berlin will be focusing on Gay & Lesbian Travel and will be hosting its own Pink Corner with international exhibitors where, at 4 p.m. on 5 September and in cooperation with visitBerlin, it will hold a cocktail reception under the heading of “Visit the Capital of Tolerance.“