Rural tourism, Afro-tourism and cultural experiences highlight Minas Gerais’ presence at WTM Latin America 2026

The Government of Minas Gerais, through the State Secretariat for Culture and Tourism (Secult-MG), is taking part in WTM Latin America 2026, held from April 14 to 16 at the Expo Center Norte, with a strategy focused on promoting the state’s destinations in both domestic and international markets.

This year, Minas Gerais highlights the strengthening of rural tourism and Afro-tourism, while also showcasing the diversity of its tourism offering, which combines culture, nature, gastronomy, innovation and sustainability.

Regional Governance Bodies (IGRs) such as Águas, Montanhas Mágicas da Mantiqueira, Caminhos da Mantiqueira, Serras Verdes and Malhas do Sul de Minas are present at the stand, alongside municipalities including Paracatu, São José da Barra, Aiuruoca, Capitólio, Dom Viçoso and Monte Verde, with support from Emater-MG. The space features established and emerging tourism products and experiences, along with ongoing training sessions, sensory activations, live cooking demonstrations and activities for both trade professionals and visitors.

“Minas is at WTM to show Brazil and the world the strength of its territories, but also to reaffirm a commitment that begins at home: valuing what is ours, recognizing our vocations and transforming identity into development. By highlighting rural tourism and Afro-tourism, we are talking about inclusion, opportunity generation and local empowerment,” said Minas Gerais Governor Mateus Simões.

Rural tourism

One of the main highlights is the launch of the new Rural Tourism Experiences Catalog, developed in partnership with Emater-MG. The new edition significantly expands the offering, growing from 137 experiences in 2025 to 266 itineraries, demonstrating the sector’s growth, diversification and reach across the state.

Afro-tourism

Afro-tourism also plays a central role. On April 14, the Quilombo São Domingos experience route, located in Paracatu, will be launched as part of the Strategic Project for Tourism Offer Diversification, developed in partnership with Sebrae Minas.

With an Afrocentric approach, the initiative values memory, ancestry and the leadership of traditional communities, reinforcing the state’s commitment to more inclusive and representative tourism. This marks the 15th delivery out of 16 planned routes by 2026.

Tourism and cultural experiences

Beyond these segments, Minas Gerais showcases a wide range of cultural and tourism experiences. Among them is an immersive activation of the Espinhaço Mountain Range, developed by Mavis 360, featuring more than 3,000 mapped locations through an innovative sensory experience.

The program also includes live cooking stations, tastings — such as the traditional “quitandas” from Paracatu — training sessions for hosted buyers and travel agents, and strategic meetings with industry stakeholders.

The state’s participation is also marked by important recognitions. Minas Gerais won nationally in the Gastronomy category at the M&E Awards – Destinations of the Year 2026 and is a finalist in the WTM Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards. In addition, Belo Horizonte is competing as Best National Destination at the Guia Negro Afro-tourism Awards.

Source: Government of Minas Gerais