The ABAV Expo 2026 began on Wednesday, the 30th, in São Paulo, bringing together various tourism sectors such as airlines, hotels, operators, cruise companies, and suppliers. The event, which will run until October 2nd at Expo Center Norte, will showcase innovations aimed at the market in the coming months, including new services, attractions, and itineraries for travelers.
Highlights of the fair include the introduction of new ships in Brazil, the presentation of European circuits linked to significant historical and cultural events, new routes through Asia and Canada, as well as an unprecedented aquatic attraction in Olímpia, in the interior of São Paulo. This edition also marks the return of ABAV Expo to the capital city of São Paulo and is expected to host approximately 40 thousand participants and over 2 thousand exhibitors.
Cruise Season 2026/2027
The cruise season for 2026/2027 is among the central points of the exhibition. MSC Cruises confirmed the presence of five ships in South America: MSC Virtuosa, MSC Seaview, MSC Splendida, MSC Divina, and MSC Musica. The MSC Virtuosa will debut in Brazil and is described by the company as the most modern and largest ship of the season. The planned routes will cover three to nine nights, visiting Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay.
Costa Cruises will also offer three to nine-night itineraries in both South America and the Caribbean. In Brazil and the Río de la Plata, the featured ships are the Costa Diadema and the Costa Serena. For the Caribbean, sailings will take place in the Dominican Republic, using the Costa Fascinosa and Costa Favolosa ships. For sailings scheduled between November 2026 and April 2027, the company is promoting a 15% discount on the sea fare, in addition to free passage for the third guest or for the third and fourth guests, depending on the contractual condition.
Another option displayed was a package combining air travel and a cruise through the Canary Islands. This product includes flights between São Paulo and Las Palmas, seven nights aboard the Costa Smeralda, three nights of accommodation in Madrid, and local transfers.
Luxury Segment and Land Travel
In the luxury segment, Velle, a specialist in river cruises, maritime cruises, yachts, expeditions, and small ships, highlights the expansion of the fleets represented by the companies. New additions include new ships from the Scenic and Emerald brands, as well as new yachts and vessels from the Explora Journeys, Uniworld, AmaWaterways, and VIVA Cruises brands.
Emerald, for example, will conduct its first exclusive trip for the Brazilian public, with service in Portuguese, aboard the Emerald Liberté. This itinerary starts in Lyon, France, and travels through Provence starting on April 3, 2027. The company will also make yachts available in the Caribbean during the 2026/2027 season, with access to islands such as Saint Barthélemy and the Virgin Islands.
For those who prefer land travel, the operator Abreu presented ten new European circuits scheduled to begin in 2027. These routes are planned around traditional dates and historical events. Among them are a trip to Ireland during St. Patrick's Day in March, a visit to Bulgaria during the Rose Festival in June, and a tour of Portugal during the Fatima celebrations in September.
Additionally, two routes are linked to World War II: Operation Overlord, which passes through London and Normandy, and the Midnight Sun, which explores Norway.
Asian and Canadian Destinations
The operator Asiando offers packages focused on trips through Southeast Asia and East Asia. The company has its own operation in Thailand and collaborates with partners in the region. The destinations included are Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan, and China, with options for individual, group, and special trips, in addition to specific departures for women's groups and travelers over 50 years old.
Canada was also represented at the fair through a delegation composed of 14 partners, covering airlines, tourism bodies, reception companies, hotels, and railway operators. The coordination of this operation was handled by the tourism intelligence consultancy VBRA. The destination offerings include Yukon, Alberta, Ontario, and Quebec. Companies associated with Tremblant, VIA Rail Canada railways, and the luxury train Rocky Mountaineer also participated.
Experiences presented in Canada involve tours to observe the Northern Lights in Yukon, visits to Jasper National Park, and routes through the Laurentian Mountains, located between Montreal and Tremblant.
Local News and Travel Services
In the interior of São Paulo, the Hot Beach Parques & Resorts complex announced a new attraction for 2027: an aquatic roller coaster developed by the Canadian company ProSlide. This will be the first attraction of its kind in Brazil by the company, combining technologies such as Dueling, FlyingSAUCER, and RocketBLAST. The new area will cover more than 2 thousand square meters and will feature a pool, wet bar, cabins, and other aquatic attractions.
Regarding Brazilian destinations, Palmeiras, in Chapada Diamantina, reported the completion of paving connecting the municipal headquarters to the district of Caeté-Açu, where Vale do Capão is located. The Bahia region showcases attractions such as Morro do Pai Inácio and baths in the Riachinho Municipal Park, Poço dos Patos, Angélica, Purificação, Poço do Gavião, Rodas, and Rio Preto. The municipality also highlights the villages of Campos de São João and Vale do Capão, rock paintings in Quilombola communities, and the historic center of Palmeiras.
Joinville presented the Christmas schedule for 2026 and the next edition of the Flower Festival, organized by AJAO. This orchid and flower event is recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Joinville and also as Historical, Artistic, and Cultural Heritage of Santa Catarina. During the ABAV Expo, the destination will promote workshops on orchid care, covering topics such as fertilization, watering, luminosity, and repotting.
Several news items from the fair focus on the pre-trip and in-trip experience. Air France highlighted the availability of free high-speed Wi-Fi on board and changes to the experience in Premium and Business cabins. KLM, which will complete 80 years since its first flight to Brazil in 2026, maintains daily flights from São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, with connections in Amsterdam to over 160 destinations.
In terms of visas, Mundo dos Vistos announced a new unit in Campinas, offering two service models: PRIME, with in-person support and differentiated services, and 60+, aimed at the public over 60 years old during the visa application process.
There are also updates in insurance and travel assistance. Universal Assistance introduced a tool for monitoring and preventing cybersecurity risks for insured individuals, including resources on digital risks, identity monitoring, and cyber protection education.
São Paulo, the host of the 2026 edition, showcased attractions aimed at visitors to the capital, such as Roda Rico, a 91-meter Ferris wheel that provides a panoramic view of the city and maintains an annual thematic program. Another notable attraction is Noites do Espanto, an immersive experience reaching its fourth edition in 2026, characterized by thematic ambiance, characters, and interactive activities.
ABAV Expo 2026 took place from September 30th to October 2nd, from 1 PM to 8 PM, at Expo Center Norte, located at Rua José Bernardo Pinto, 333, Vila Guilherme, São Paulo. Information and accreditation can be accessed at abavexpo.com.br.