FIBEGA, the premier worldwide gastronomy tourism fair, will take place in the U.S. for the first time next year from May 10-12, 2019. FIBEGA will bring together culture, gastronomy and destinations from different countries and regions to the Miami Beach Convention Center.
Due to the city’s prestige as an international epicenter for tourism and gastronomy, all future editions of the fair will remain in Miami.
“After a successful edition last year in Buenos Aires, we are excited to bring FIBEGA to the United States for the first time,” said Roi Correa, FIBEGA president. “As the most important gastronomy tourism fair in the world, bringing this event to Miami is a testament to the city as a powerful leader in global tourism and hospitality. With influential attendees from various markets participating, Miami is certain to serve as the ideal backdrop and meeting point between the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Africa and Europe.”
FIBEGA 2019 is expected to surpass last year’s Buenos Aires edition, which received more than 22,000 attendees from all over the world and featured more than 800 global exhibitors, with heavy presence from Latin America and Europe. FIBEGA intends to become the most important networking fair in the tourism and gastronomy sector where destinations, enterprises and global institutions will meet for business, development and tourism.
According to the World Food Travel Association’s State of the Food Tourism Industry 2018 Annual Report, 93 percent of travelers have engaged in a unique or memorable food and beverage experience other than dining out. In other words, nearly everyone can now be considered a food traveler. According to the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), more than 25 million American travelers visit international destinations each year, and culinary tourism is identified as a primary motivation for travel.
Each edition of this international fair brings the best diversity of gastronomy, tourism and culture from international regions with a daily agenda offering varied activities. Friday, May 10, the first day of the fair, will be exclusively curated for gastronomy and tourism industry professionals. Guests will also be able to build and strengthen their current network, with the opportunity to meet tourism experts and engage with representatives from global destinations. From May 11-12, both industry professionals and consumers interested in gastronomy and travel will be welcome. With exhibitions featuring destinations from all over the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia, FIBEGA will offer visitors a chance to get a taste of the unique flavors and personalities that define various countries and regions.
FIBEGA inaugurated in November 2016 in Merida, Spain, where attendees enjoyed workshops and food, wine and spirit tastings by several represented countries including Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, Uruguay and more. The following year, the fair moved to Buenos Aires covering similar topics of tourism, gastronomy, health and sustainability and featured international chefs and Sommelier Josep Roca of El Celler de Can Roca, among others. Attendees also enjoyed tequila, mezcal, pisco, cachaça and rum tastings, as well as regional foods that varied from traditional Argentinean cuisine to Mayan specialties from Guatemala.
Supporting partners of FIBEGA Miami 2019 include the UNWTO. For more information and to register or purchase tickets, please visit: https://www.fibega.org/
