In this context, Travel2latam spoke with Javier Ramírez, General Director of Tourism Products of the National Secretariat of Tourism of Paraguay.
With what expectations does Paraguay arrive at such an important event as FIT in this 2024 edition?
We have a large delegation from Paraguay that came this year, and with a much larger stand as well, so we have great expectations for this year's FIT. The Argentine market is extremely important to us and we come to show off everything we have in terms of attractions and services.
The stand features a special decoration that promotes part of the country's culture. How was the process of putting together this magnificent stand?
At the stand we are giving a lot of emphasis to Paraguayan gastronomy above all. Today we had tastings of bori bori, which is a great soup that was once again chosen by Taste Atlas as the best in the world. So we are introducing here in Buenos Aires what bori borí is, as well as other traditional dishes, such as caña paraguaya, the national drink, of which we are serving drinks based on Paraguayan cane and lots of crafts, showing a little of the attractions of our country.
We also have a Paraguay Rally simulator, because next year the World Rally Championship is taking place in Paraguay, an extremely important event for the entire region. So we are here to tell you about the attractions we have, the nature and the culture that always unites us, also through gastronomy.
What is the situation this season and what initiatives will you have in the coming months?
It is a very positive year for us, especially in terms of air connectivity for the region and with Argentina, where we are celebrating the increased connectivity in Asunción-Buenos Aires, and obviously also in Asunción-Córdoba, which began this year. A couple of weeks ago, the direct flight from Asunción to Jujuy was also announced, which will operate from November, and yesterday the agreement was signed for Asunción-Salta, which will operate from February 2025.
The Argentine market is extremely important for us. We will also be carrying out trade missions with the private sector to promote Paraguay as a destination and work hand in hand with airlines to increase the flow of passengers between both destinations. These will be very busy months.
Meeting tourism is the main activity in our country. Very important events are taking place in Asunción this October and November, so we know that the numbers are going to be very auspicious for us this year.
What Paraguayan destinations are present here?
There are 20 companies, we have very important tourism operators from our country such as Nuestra Señora de la Asunción, DTP, Maral tourism, also some destinations such as Encarnación, which come with interesting offers. The Encarnación Carnival is with us, doing some activations as well, promoting the carnival for the month of February. And we are accompanied by very important hotels, as well as event organizers and airlines at the stand. The Itapúa bureau is also with us this year.
They are companies from various services that are with us this year. And the activation also with Capasa, which is the Paraguayan sugarcane, doing the drink tastings all these days.
In terms of connectivity, the flight that will connect Montevideo with Salto in Uruguay was announced, but that has a significant impact on Paraguay, right?
Yes, with Paranair, there is also a flight from Asunción to Montevideo and Salto via Montevideo. Seasonal flights are coming, especially in Punta del Este, Rio de Janeiro, and Florianópolis.
Since December, Azul has been operating in Paraguay, which will connect us with cities in Brazil, Curitiba, Florianópolis and Recife. There will be several flights connecting Asunción in the region. We are doing very well in terms of connectivity, now we have to coordinate work with the private sector, because the flow has to be round trip and not only in the summer season. Great challenges await the tourism sector in our country.