Travel writers, businesspeople looking for good opportunities in Brazil tourism and travelers at large: Get ready to cover several kilometers in a day and stock up on travel brochures during the 5th annual Tourism and Travel Fair promoted by the Brazilian Ministry of Tourism (May 26-30 in São Paulo).
Let me just say that the amount of literature my son and I picked up during Salão do Turismo 2008 was enough to fill a two-drawer file cabinet. I love this fair because not only do you learn about travel perspectives in Brazil and do business, but you also meet fun people, discover exciting travel routes, eat regional food, enjoy dance performances and shop for crafts from all over the country.
A very important part of the fair is the Knowledge Nucleus, with debates about crucial issues in Brazil travel. This year, some of the top themes will be "Accessible Travel: A Possible Challenge" (with the participation of Dadá Moreira from Aventura Especial) and "Ethnic Tourism: An alternative for economical and social development" (with Nitinauã Pataxó of the Pataxó Ecotourism Association), as well as debates on LGBT-friendly tourism, senior travel, a new hotel classification proposed by the Ministry of Tourism and much more (see full schedule).
Photo: Lucicleide Nascimento greeted visitors at the Bahia stand in the 2008 Brazil Tourism and Travel Fair. Patricia Ribeiro.
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