Associação Brasileira de Agências de Viagens (ABAV)

AABAV is the largest travel trade show in all of the Americas. It will be the 43rd edition of the exhibition that attracted more than 45 000 delegates from 65 destinations to São Paulo in 2014. The delegates included 3 500 exhibitors and 1 245 hosted buyers, giving exceptional access to the exciting Latin American market in addition to other strategic regional markets around the world.

ABAV organisers have conducted surveys of the 2014 show and found that 88 percent of delegates say the show offered exceptional networking opportunities; 81 percent saying it showcased cutting edge technological innovation; and 78 percent saying it generated wonderful business opportunities and deals. Sixty nine percent of all ABAV 2014 delegates said it was the very best fair for the travel and tourism industry.

South Africa exhibited at ABAV for the very first time last year. “The South African team did a great job at ABAV 2014 with a fantastic looking stand,” said the representatives from Protea Hotels who attended the trade show. Tourism KZN added that business was brisk, with quality buyers being attracted to the South African stand, and Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks found the entire experience – from the ABAV organising team through to colleagues at the South African stand – to be exceptionally professional and effective.

South African Tourism has maximised the platform ABAV offers by creating a MEET SOUTH AFRICA week during the tradeshow. MEET SOUTH AFRICA week will include a workshop in partnership with South African Airways on September 22, 2015. The second annual UBUNTU Awards in Brazil will take place on September 23, 2015 with the objective to recognise and reward Brazilian trade partners that work actively to sell and promote South Africa in the region.

Mr Thulani Nzima, Chief Executive Officer at South African Tourism says South Africa’s participation at ABAV this year is driven by the excellent results attained at ABAV 2014. “It’s imperative,” he says, “that the South African sector continues the momentum started in 2014 to continue raising awareness about our destination across Latin America. Now, more than ever, it is extremely important to maintain a visible profile in this market, especially in light of the fact that the Brazilian economy is recovering from a difficult period. ABAV is the single best platform to showcase South Africa to the critical Latin American market. This gives us a platform to reach both trade and consumers, delivering exceptional value against our investment in the market.”

Amongst some of the South African companies who have confirmed their attendance for ABAV 2015 are: African Sun Hotels, Cape Town Tourism, Cape Winelands District Municipality, Joburg Tourism and Tsogo Sun. Exhibition space is still available for exhibitor applications. South African trade, product and travel services who are interested in joining South African Tourism at ABAV may contact Pat Khubeka at Pure Grit for full details: pat@puregrit.co.za.