37th Festuris: Emília Corrêa, mayor of Aracaju, and Fábio Andrade, Secretary of Tourism, highlight the leading role of the capital of Sergipe

Aracaju makes its presence felt at Festuris 2025 with a delegation from Sergipe. Serra Park, in Gramado (RS), hosted Festuris 2025 – the Gramado International Tourism Fair – between November 6th and 9th, with this edition's theme being "Reimagining Tomorrow". During the event, the Aracaju delegation held a parallel event at Olivas de Gramado, with a special lunch bringing together authorities and guests from the national tourism sector.

First participation with significant results.

During Festuris, the mayor of Aracaju, Emília Corrêa, participated in the event for the first time and highlighted the new positioning of the capital of Sergipe in national tourism.

“This is the first time I’ve participated in Festuris, and it’s also my first year in office. In ten months, we’ve elevated Aracaju to a new level in tourism,” stated Corrêa.

According to her, the municipality has already registered a 10% increase in the number of air passengers, a direct reflection of the integration between the administration and the Municipal Tourism Secretariat.

The mayor emphasized the importance of joint participation with Secretary Fábio Andrade at strategic trade fairs: “It is essential to be with the secretary to demonstrate the administration's genuine interest and ensure alignment. The work has been collaborative and very productive.”

Women's health as a public policy

Emília Corrêa also emphasized that the safety of women, whether residents or tourists, is a priority in Aracaju. The creation of the Municipal Secretariat for Women and the strengthening of protective policies are hallmarks of her administration.

“Only a female mayor understands what another woman goes through. We created the Women's Secretariat to remove many of them from the cycle of violence and guarantee their economic independence,” explained Corrêa.

She also highlighted practical security measures aimed at tourists, such as the system of 630 cameras, reporting kiosks, and electronic surveillance at strategic points, including along the Atalaia waterfront.

"Today, women feel safer in Aracaju, both those who live here and those who visit," she stated.

Community-based tourism as an engine for transformation

The "Discover Aracaju" program was one of the highlights mentioned by the mayor and the secretary. This initiative, created under the current administration, integrates communities and promotes community-based tourism, connecting local crafts, gastronomy, and culture.

“The project was born from a request from the communities themselves: 'look at us'. This listening has transformed neighborhoods into centers for tourism and income generation,” said Emília Corrêa.

Secretary Fábio Andrade added concrete data: “In Tobias Barreto Square, we went from six to 84 permit holders. That's around 300 people working and a flow of more than 10,000 visitors every Sunday. It means income, visibility, and pride for the population.”

Air connectivity and tourism development

Although Aracaju-Santa Maria Airport is not yet an international airport, the secretary highlighted significant progress in the air network. Azul Viagens recorded 97% occupancy on flights to the capital, which stimulated an increase in supply: 183 new flights between December and February, the peak season.

“We are working together with airlines and also with road tourism. We are training travel agents in all the states of the Northeast,” said Andrade.

According to him, the airport has been completely renovated and reflects the city's new image: "It's a source of pride to see how prepared Aracaju is to welcome visitors."

Events that keep the city buzzing all year round.

The mayor emphasized that Aracaju no longer has a low season. The official calendar includes New Year's Eve with the band Calcinha Preta, Verão Caju (Caju Summer), the city's anniversary, Forró Caju (Caju Forró), Sergipe Week, and the Crab Festival.

"These events strengthen the local economy and keep the city vibrant. It's a celebration, it's culture, it's tourism in motion," declared Corrêa.

Regional integration and value-added tourism

For Fábio Andrade, Aracaju's new positioning is also reflected in its integration with tourism in Sergipe and the Northeast region. "We want those who visit Aracaju to also get to know São Cristóvão, Laranjeiras, and the Xingó Canyon. It's an integrated effort, without any vanity," he stated.

The secretary highlighted that the average length of stay for tourists has increased from 3 to 5.6 days, and that the city is seeking to attract visitors with higher added value.

"The average ticket price is still R$ 315 per day, but we are increasing that number with high-impact events such as the Brazilian Kart Cup, the Ironman, and Motofest," he explained.

"Aracaju presents itself as a sustainable, welcoming, and modern city—the new thing in the Northeast," Andrade concluded.

Reporting and photo: Mary de Aquino.