Uruguay presented its diverse tourism and gastronomy at Festuris Gramado

How has Uruguay's participation in Festuris been, and what proposals did you bring this year?

It's a pleasure to welcome you to the Uruguay stand here in Gramado. Fortunately, the public is very interested in learning about new offerings, especially from the north of the country. Uruguay is surprising visitors with its mining tourism, wineries and wine tourism, in addition to its growing gastronomic offerings

At this stand, we wanted to bring a little piece of Uruguay, with initiatives like the Mushroom Route, presented in conjunction with the Technological University of Uruguay, and with the support of the National Institute of Viticulture. In addition, this year we have a very special space, the Food and Drinks Experience, where dishes are prepared live and visitors are invited to taste Uruguayan flavors.

We also participated in the Gastronomic Arena, with two masterclasses on “Knowledge and Flavors of the North” and “Colonia and its Snacks,” where we showcased regional products, the Cheese Route, and other experiences that demonstrate that Uruguay is much more than beaches: we have mountains, nature, and living culture.

We are just days away from the start of the season. What are your perspectives regarding the Brazilian market?

We welcome Brazilians with open arms. It's our second largest source of tourists, so their presence is very important. At Festuris, we're participating alongside 20 tour operators, as well as destinations like Maldonado, Salto, Artigas, Montevideo, and Canelones. We're also joined by travel agencies and car rental apps, which enriches the visitor experience.

In addition, we've met with wholesale agencies like Catiba and representatives from municipalities in São Paulo interested in developing multi-destination packages with Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina.

Argentina remains a key market. How do you see its performance in this context?

Argentinians are our main visitors, and we always welcome them warmly. We share geographical and cultural proximity. Uruguay is a boutique country, with short distances, where you can visit various attractions in just a few hours. In a world where time is such a precious commodity, this characteristic makes us an ideal destination to make the most of your vacation.

Uruguay has diversified its offerings in recent years. What other products are you promoting?

We have been working on an increasingly diverse offering: beaches, mountains, hot springs, wine tourism, historical heritage, and nature. We are committed to sustainable tourism, which cares for our natural treasures while inviting visitors to explore them responsibly.

We have World Heritage sites such as Colonia del Sacramento, geoparks like the Grutas del Palacio, and soon, the Serranías Geopark. Our culture is also an essential part of Uruguayan identity, with expressions like Candombe, recognized by UNESCO.