The Mexican capital, one of the main destinations in the American continent, is strongly betting on joining the select group of cities that have been traditional venues of major tourism events.

On this occasion, the BANAMEX Convention Center hosted the 2nd World Tourism Exhibition (EMT-2004), aimed at promoting a wide range of attractions in that fast-growing sector. The fair's motto was "The World under the Same Roof".

Five theme pavilions dedicated to such tourism segments as conventions, ecotourism, SPA, Golf and cruises, stood out as one of the novelties of the forum, as well as a center especially designed to show virtual trips.

More than 240 exhibitors from a score of countries attended the international meeting, as part of an exhibition that covered an area of nearly 13,000 square meters exclusively dedicated to the leisure industry.

Among the peculiarities of EMT-2004 was that 27 Mexican federative institutions were represented at the fair, thus allowing visitors to learn about the country's many facilities for tourism.

The fair's atmosphere was characterized by a true mixture of participants operating in a wide range of sectors, including airlines, hotel chains, land transportation, cruisers, entertainment companies, amusement and theme parks, independent tour operators, specialized publications and government institutions.

Other participants were tourism-oriented, shared-time, technology, gastronomic, solution-providing and cultural companies, among others.

Exhibitors and buyers from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Guatemala, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Canada, the United States, Spain, Italy, Russia, Germany, Malaysia, Hong Kong and South Africa showed off their tourism products at the Mexican fair.

Once again, GRUPO VACACIONAR, which has a solid experience in working with associated tour operators all over the world to promote tourism to Cuba and the Caribbean, was present at the fair.

The multidestination option is among the company's priorities, especially after opening an office in the Mexican capital in early 2004. A second office will open soon in the beach resort of Cancun.

GRUPO VACACIONAR's expansion strategy in the sector of services includes signing contracts with service providers operating on the Mexican Caribbean, including Mérida, Palenque, Campeche and Chichén Itzá, among other destinations.

The attractive multidestination products are also backed up by the signing of working agreements with major hotel chains in Cuba, including Gran Caribe, Habaguanex, Cubanacán S.A. and Gaviota S.A.