The First Latin America and Caribbean Exposition of Incentive, Event and Business Tourism (2004 LACIME) will be the perfect setting to launch out the city of Sao Paolo as the right destination for events. This is part of an effort to make the Brazilian burg climb up the ranking of the world’s top event destinations –it held the 48th notch in the year 2002.

At least, that’s the goal in the mind of Roberto Gueler, president of the Sao Paolo Bureau of Conventions and Visitors, to help the city crack the top-20 plateau on the world list.

Cuba’s best and mightiest tourist offers will be showcased at the 24th edition of the International Tourism Convention scheduled from May 3 to 6 at the Plaza America Conference Center in Varadero.

A turnout of over a thousand tour operators, tourism companies, airline representatives and travel agents from some twenty countries, more than 2,000 national providers and representatives from nearly 700 Mexican firms wrapped up Mexico’s Travel Marketplace in Acapulco.

Cuba’s upcoming Tourism Convention –scheduled from May 3 to 6 at the Plaza America Conference Center in Varadero- will this time around be devoted to culture as a tourist product, featuring the United Kingdom as the guest country and the local destination of Jardines del Rey as the special focus of attention.

Peru´s National Tourism Chamber (CANATUR) announced the country will be home to this year´s Latin Travel Mart with a much-anticipated turnout of 1,200 travel agencies from around the world.

The event´s international organizers have already paid a visit to Lima, as well as to all venues and hotels. CANATUR President Carlos Canales told state-run news agency Andina that the meeting will take place in September 2005.

The Cuba Convention Bureau (CCB) is planning to organize a string of events on sciences, farming and beverages during the course of the ongoing year. The announcement was broken to the press during a meeting at the Antilles Hall of the Triton Hotel -a property of Gran Caribe Co.

The list of upcoming events includes the 2004 NEFROCIMEG, the International Rum Festival and the First Latin American Meeting of Apiculture.