The 36th Festuris – International Tourism Fair has begun. And the numbers for this edition that is about to begin suggest a good celebration, compared to last year, growth is 9%, confirmed in the official speech by CEOs Eduardo Zorzanello and Marta Rossi. There was an increase in the number of new brands that joined Festuris to prospect their businesses, and the number of international destinations increased from 40 last year to 53 this year.
“When we were asked if the 36th edition of Festuris would take place, we were absolutely certain that it would, because much more than hope, we felt a duty and commitment to help the state start over. And here we are, fulfilling our purpose and what’s more, we reached our goal and grew, surpassing the 2023 edition by 9%,” said Marta.
“We achieved goals, gained market credibility, won and maintained loyal partnerships, attracted new exhibitors, but, above all, we won friends, because we have strong values, which begin with our family base and extend to our business”, reiterated Eduardo.
The opening ceremony was held at the Palácio dos Festivais and was attended by a full house, with representatives from all segments of the tourism economy. On stage, prominent personalities made up the table of honor, with a special female presence.
“When we talk about inclusion, we must acknowledge, thank and applaud the female leaders who are on our stage tonight. It is an honor to share this remarkable moment in the recovery of tourism in Rio Grande do Sul,” he emphasized.
“Tourism has no age, no color, no gender, no ideology. Tourism has people and is done by people. We have always said that it is the most inclusive of economic activities,” Eduardo emphasized. He also referred to the Rio Grande do Sul Space, which is concentrating the state’s destinations in the same area. “We have achieved something we have sought for so long, which is to unite the destinations of our state. We have brought Gramado and Canela side by side, the mountains, the countryside and the border together,” he said.
Marta recalled the moments of resilience after climate tragedies. “For those of us who, like us, lived through moments of anguish six months ago, this is a moment of celebration. Rio Grande do Sul is standing up and the tourist world is gathered in Gramado, here in our Rio Grande do Sul,” said Marta to strong applause.
After the speeches by the Festuris CEOs, the vice-minister of the Dominican Republic, this year's guest of honor, Roberto Henriquez, the head of technical assistance at the Ministry of Tourism, Bárbara Sá, the president of Embratur, Marcelo Freixo, the state secretary of Tourism, Ronaldo Santini, and the mayor of Gramado, Nestor Tissot, also spoke.
REIMAGINING TOMORROW
During the ceremony, Eduardo and Marta also presented Festuris' new visual identity and the theme of the 37th edition: Reimagining Tomorrow. Next year, Festuris will take place from November 6 to 9.
The visual identity of Festuris 2025 was created to highlight the event’s role as a space for innovation and the future of tourism. Blue represents the horizon of new possibilities, bringing confidence and stability to the sector. Orange, vibrant and energetic, symbolizes the passion and creativity that drive tourism. White completes the palette, creating a space of balance and clarity for new ideas and solutions.
The Festuris logo was brought into the three-dimensional universe. The 3D dimension adds depth, reflecting the multiplicity of perspectives, as well as allowing visual variations that enrich communication and adapt to different contexts.
“We are much more than a trade fair for connections and business; we are a platform for experiences focused on business and people. We seek to listen to the tourism industry and its concerns in order to deliver a great event. This is certainly one of the reasons why Festuris is considered by the industry to be the most beloved tourism event in Brazil,” concluded Marta.
Text: Fernando Gusen
Photo Credit: Festuris Gramado/Divulgação