2009 International Tourism Fair Latin America Returns to Buenos Aires

FIT 2009 runs from November 14-17 in Buenos Aires. The first two days are open to the general public.

The turnstiles just keep spinning at the La Rural Expo Center in Palermo. Right on the heels of last month’s SMI Real Estate Expo comes FIT, the 2009 International Tourism Trade Fair of Latin America.

The annual event draws thousands of wholesalers, tour operators, hoteliers and official state agencies to Buenos Aires promoting their respective countries. A veritable Argentine alphabet soup of tourism groups organize FIT, including AAAVYT (The Argentina Association of Travel Agents & Tourism) and AVIABUE (The Buenos Aires Association of Travel Agents & Tourism).

According to the official website, over 1,700 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors attended FIT’08. Exhibitors are grouped into one of four categories: Argentina, Brasil/Uruguay, Caribbean and International. Major Florida tourist attractions popular with Latin Americans like Disney Parks, Universal Studios and Sawgrass Mills will all be present at this year’s show.

If you can’t get FIT this year, here’s a YouTube video of FIT 2008 including the opening ceremonies and interviews with FIT President Ricardo Roza and Argentine Tourism Secretary Carlos Meyer.