The 27th edition of the International Tourism Fair of Latin America (FIT) began and is unfolding with great enthusiasm in Buenos Aires. During the opening ceremony at La Rural, the presence of prominent figures in the industry was highlighted, including Andrés Deyá, President of FIT and FAEVYT, and Matías Lammens, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Nation.

The first two days of the fair have been a resounding success, with a massive attendance that has filled the exhibition stands. The first day on Saturday attracted a total of 44,231 visitors eager to explore the tourism offerings of different destinations, enjoy musical performances, and immerse themselves in the flavors and colors of the Argentine provinces and more than 45 places from around the world.

During his inspiring speech, Andrés Deyá emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration between the public and private sectors in the ongoing success of FIT. He proudly noted that this edition of the fair is 9% larger than the historic 2019 Fair, held in pre-pandemic times, demonstrating that tourism is a constantly growing sector. "We have no ceiling as a sector; we are one of the engines of the country's economy," Deyá asserted with determination. His speech concluded with a sense of pride in presiding over FIT and contributing to the development of a professional, innovative, and unique tourism industry that has undoubtedly become the meeting point for tourism in Latin America and the world.

Matías Lammens, Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Nation, emphasized in his speech that tourism is one of the country's main economic activities and stressed the need to care for and strengthen this industry. He thanked Argentine tourism entrepreneurs for their commitment and support, highlighting that their confidence in the country has been crucial to the sector's success. "Today, everyone is talking about tourism, and this is one of the great legacies we have built together," Lammens affirmed, underscoring the positive impact that tourism has had on the national economy and its consolidation as a fundamental activity.

Lucas Delfino, President of the Tourism Entity of the City of Buenos Aires, highlighted recent achievements in the tourism industry, especially in the Argentine capital. He pointed out that the city has improved the profile of tourists, achieving higher hotel occupancy, longer stays, and an increased influx of visitors from the interior of the country. He also emphasized the importance of FIT as a key meeting point for the promotion and development of tourism in Buenos Aires and throughout the country, highlighting its role as an essential driver of the tourism industry's recovery.

The participating stands have offered immersive experiences and virtual reality to transport visitors to various cities and regions, both within and outside of Argentina. Additionally, they have presented promotions, giveaways, talks, cooking classes, tastings of typical foods, and live artistic exhibitions and performances.

Families visiting FIT have had the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences suitable for all ages, including simulators, interactive games, and live performances. The "Fiestas Argentinas: Celebra el país" (Argentine Festivals: Celebrate the Country) space has brought together the most emblematic carnivals in the country and traditional dances from Argentina.

The auditoriums have provided a wide range of talks, exhibitions, and training sessions highlighting the wonders of various national and international tourist destinations. Topics have ranged from innovation in Intelligence and Tourism Quality Systems to gastronomy as a tourism driver, emerging destinations in Argentina, and the presentation of tourist corridors.

Andrés Deyá, President of FIT, shared his enthusiasm at the end of the day: "We enjoyed a new day full of experiences and emotions as only tourism can provide. The 27th edition of FIT is already making its mark on the tourism calendar of Latin America and the world."

FIT will continue its program tomorrow, opening its doors at 10 a.m. exclusively for industry professionals. The day will feature the start of the "Visit Argentina Connect" Business Rounds, a key event providing an exclusive space for marketing, allowing wholesale operators, tourism service providers, and hundreds of professionals to generate new business opportunities. Additionally, the FIT TECH pavilion will bring together leading experts in marketing and tourism development under the theme "Innovation, Technology, Investments, and Sustainability," with various talks throughout the day in a new edition of Travel Forum Latam 2023.