ITB Berlin to hold seminars at South America’s largest travel trade show in Rio de Janeiro

World's leading travel trade show collaborates with ABAV – A Feira de Turismo das Américas: ITB Academy to hold three days of seminars at Brazil's B2B trade show – programme includes up-to-the-minute topics: CSR, Business Travel, MICE and Gay and Lesbian Travel – ITB Berlin represented with its own stand

Berlin, 17 September 2012 – At this year's ABAV – A Feira de Turismo das Américas - Brazil's travel trade show, in a move underlining German-Brazilian cooperation, ITB Berlin will be this year's knowledge partner. From 24 to 26 October 2012 ITB Berlin will be represented at the travel trade show in Rio de Janeiro with its own stand and a wide-ranging convention programme. This move strengthens the long-standing collaboration with the show, which is organised by Brazil's travel agency association Associação Brasileira de Agências de Viagens (ABAV). Over a period of three days the ITB Academy will hold numerous workshops and papers on up-to-the-minute topics: CSR, Business Travel, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transsexual), MICE and Hotel Management.

For Dr. Martin Buck, Director of the Competence Center Travel & Logistics Messe Berlin, Brazil is one of the leading tourism growth markets: "In recent years Brazil has maximised its tourism potential and become one of the world's most popular destinations. The 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games will help Brazil achieve even greater success." Both sides will benefit enormously from greater cooperation and the exchange of knowledge between ITB Berlin and ABAV."

Visitors to the stand of ITB Berlin will be able to find out about the world's leading travel trade show. The seminars organised by the ITB Academy will focus on up-to-the-minute international tourism topics on all three days of the show. For visitors to ABAV admission to these events is free of charge. On 25 October 2012 Rika Jean-Francois, Product Manager, ITB Berlin, will talk about the importance of and growth in the Gay & Lesbian travel market. Other topics on the agenda include CSR and socially responsible tourism as well as MICE and business travel. On 24 October Gustavo Elbaum, Global Sales Director, Brazil and Latin America, CWT, will provide tips on the best ways to book hotels and how companies can efficiently organise their business travel management. On 24 October the German National Tourism Board (DZT) will organise workshops which will be held by Margaret Anne Grantham, Centro de Turismo Alemão, Brazil.

The media partner collaborating with the ITB Academy seminars at ABAV is the trade magazine Mercado e Eventos.