Uruguay presented its diverse tourism and gastronomy at Festuris Gramado

Uruguay took part in Festuris Gramado with an integrated proposal that reflects its tourism and culinary diversity. This year, the country highlighted experiences that combine nature, culture, and local flavors, with a special focus on new themed routes and sustainable tourism.

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

It’s a pleasure to welcome you to Uruguay’s stand here in Gramado. Visitors have shown great interest in discovering new proposals, especially from the northern regions of the country. Uruguay is surprising attendees with experiences related to mining tourism, wineries, wine tourism, and an expanding gastronomic offer.

At our stand, we wanted to bring a piece of Uruguay with us, through initiatives such as the Mushroom Route, which is led by the Technological University of Uruguay in coordination with the Ministry of Tourism. In addition, we had a very special space, the Food and Drinks Experience, where the National Institute of Viticulture, together with the Ministry of Tourism and the Wine Tourism Association of Uruguay, invited several tourist wineries from across the country to participate. There, tastings were offered, allowing visitors to experience authentic Uruguayan flavors.

We also took part in the Gastronomic Arena, with two masterclasses titled “Flavors and Traditions of the North” and “Colonia and Its Bites,” where we showcased regional products, the Cheese Route, and other experiences that demonstrate Uruguay is much more than beaches — we offer hills, nature, and living culture.

With the summer season approaching, what are your expectations for the Brazilian market?

We welcome Brazilians with open arms. They are our second-largest source market, so their presence is very important, and we aim to continue growing in this market. At Festuris, we participated alongside 19 operators, as well as destinations such as Maldonado, Salto, Rocha, Artigas, Montevideo, and Canelones. We were also joined by travel agencies and vehicle reservation apps, which help enrich the visitor experience.

In addition, we held meetings with wholesale travel agencies such as Cativa and representatives from municipalities in São Paulo interested in developing multi-destination proposals with Uruguay, Brazil, and Argentina.

Argentina continues to be a key market. How do you see its behavior in the current context?

Argentinians are our main visitors, and we always welcome them with great affection. We share strong geographic and cultural ties. Uruguay is a boutique country with short distances, where travelers can explore a variety of attractions in just a few hours. In a world where time is so valuable, that makes us an ideal destination to make the most of every vacation.

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

We continue to develop a diverse range of products: beaches, hills, hot springs, wine tourism, historical heritage, and nature. Our goal is to promote sustainable tourism that protects our natural treasures while inviting travelers to enjoy them responsibly.

We have UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Colonia del Sacramento, geoparks like Grutas del Palacio, and soon, the new Manantiales Serranos Geopark. Our culture is also a fundamental part of Uruguay’s identity, with expressions such as candombe, recognized by UNESCO, as well as other segments like meetings tourism and sports tourism.