Marta Rossi and Eduardo Zorzanello, CEOs of Festuris, led the opening, which this year stood out for its stage that prioritized female presence, a difference compared to other events in the sector in Brazil.
At the ceremony, the cultures of Rio Grande do Sul and Dominican Republic brought colors and rhythms to the opening night. The Folklore Ballet of the Ministry of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, the country honored in this edition, enchanted the audience with traditional dances such as merengue, bachata and mangulina. Darte Entretenimento, from Canela, thrilled everyone with the show “Os Gaúchos: do Festuris, da História, Cultura e Tradição”, with traditional dances and music that extolled the cultural strength of Rio Grande do Sul. Manuela Laranjeira, just 11 years old, sang the Rio Grande do Sul National Anthem and moved the audience with her performance.
Another highlight was the awarding of the FIASEET Award for “Good Practices in Sustainable Tourism and SDGs” to Festuris and Marta Rossi, recognition for their contribution to sustainability and equality in tourism. The award was announced in the Dominican Republic and reinforces the importance of sustainable practices in the sector. Marta and Eduardo received the trophy, delivered by Jussara Yanes Leite and Rosane Ávila.
The ceremony also paid tribute to Maria do Céu, from Pernambuco, who was awarded the Colors of Tourism Trophy for her work in favor of inclusive tourism and cultural diversity. She has led the Metrópole Group for 22 years and is engaged in the fight for LGBTQIA+ rights in Recife.
Among other honors, the Friends of Festuris Trophy was also awarded to individuals and professionals who have contributed to the event over the years. Among the honorees were Carlos Prado (Grupo Tour House), Denise Holleben (Bento Gonçalves Tourism Department) and Vinicius Lummertz (Grupo Wish), reinforcing the support network that drives Festuris. The event's Ambassadors were recognized by Luciano Teixeira (Lucky) and João Medeiros, who encourage the participation of professionals in the sector.
The evening also included a tribute to Panrotas, a media outlet specializing in tourism, for its 50 years of operation. Argentine founder José Guillermo Condomí Alcorta and CEO José Guilherme Alcorta, Guillermo's son, received a trophy in celebration of the publication's role in promoting B2B tourism in Brazil.
In addition to the tributes, the event celebrated a 9% growth in this edition, with the participation of 53 international destinations, an increase compared to the previous year. Eduardo Zorzanello celebrated the space dedicated exclusively to tourism in Rio Grande do Sul, which brings together the main tourist regions of the state in the same area, promoting the union between Gramado, Canela, the mountains, the countryside and the border.
Finally, Eduardo and Marta presented the theme of the next edition: “Reimagining Tomorrow”, which will take place from November 6 to 9, 2025. With a new visual identity, Festuris 2025 will have blue as its colors, representing innovation, and orange, symbolizing passion and energy, reflecting the search for sustainable and innovative tourism.
Festuris 2024 runs until November 11, consolidating itself as one of the largest tourism events in Latin America and reinforcing the strength of Rio Grande do Sul and international tourism.
Report: Mary de Aquino.
Photo:Festuris Gramado/Divulgação.