Argentina will be once again becoming the focus of attention of the world travel industry when the La Rural Fairgrounds will swing its gates wide open on November 17 for the 12th edition of the International Fair of Latin American Tourism (FIT). A considerable number of business appointments, presentations of destinations and major contracts that move around the region will bear the brunt of the tradeshow.

In 2006, over 74,000 people had access to the new things and products that this fair had to offer with a massive turnout of 30,000 industry professionals. With these amazing figures –the largest since the first edition back in 1996- the fair has been shaping up as one of the most influential and leading events of Latin American tourism.

The presence of 39 countries from the area and elsewhere, as well as the participation of all Argentinean provinces clustered in regions, plus national and international travel agencies, tour operators and airlines, were the main attractions at the fair.

During last year’s edition, Ricardo Roza, Chairman of the International Fair of Latin American Tourism, stressed the importance of tourism for his homeland as an industry that has helped slash unemployment by creating over 2 million jobs, a figure that makes it one of the country’s economic powerhouses.

Before several tourism ministers from MERCOSUR, including Cuba, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and Peru, Argentine authorities outlined the sector’s main guidelines: the strengthening of tourism within the State’s policy and the intention to turn this industry into a major source of income and sustainable development based on a system of national parks and the warranty of quality management and services.