The recent partnership with Vivalá marks Bancorbrás' commitment to offering community-based tourism, valuing economic, social and environmental aspects. In addition, the company invests in unique experiences, such as high-end tourism and the Esplanada Harmonized Tasting in Brasília, reaffirming the capital's tourism potential beyond conventional itineraries.
Read the interview below:
Travel2Latam: How is Bancorbrás Group integrating sustainable practices into its tourism operations, especially in a scenario where environmental awareness is increasingly important for travelers?
Carlos Eduardo Pereira: In early 2024, Bancorbrás entered into a partnership with Vivalá, a sustainable tourism company. The acquisition is part of Bancorbrás' business expansion strategies. With this partnership, Bancorbrás Turismo becomes one of the largest sustainable tourism operators in the country and, in this way, we will be able to bring our more than 120 thousand customers a new perspective on tourism based on economic, social and environmental pillars.
Vivalá has developed a Sustainable Tourism model that is represented mainly by structuring expeditions in Brazilian Conservation Units and Indigenous Lands, aiming at preserving biodiversity and financially benefiting local communities, valuing the culture of traditional peoples and promoting sustainability. The objective is to support the expansion of experience destinations for Community-Based Tourism, development of products focused on ecotourism, voluntourism, incentive groups for companies, educational tourism for low-income children, and to stimulate ESG in other companies and partner institutes of our Bancorbrás Institute.
Travel2Latam: What do you believe are the most promising innovations in the tourism sector today, and how is Bancorbrás Group adapting to or leading these trends?
Carlos Eduardo Pereira: Some of the most promising innovations are within the experiential tourism category, which encourages travelers to delve deeper into the region and learn a little more about the reality of the residents, the culture and local customs, valuing authentic experiences that stray from the traditional, whether learning something new or experiencing something unusual. Tourists are looking for unique and different itineraries with gastronomic, wine, sports, religious and other experiences.
Another type of tourism that has been gaining ground is high-end tourism. Customers are increasingly seeking exclusive packages and services at luxury hotels in national and international destinations. These are experiences that offer a special and unique experience. The distinguishing features of this type of tourism usually lie in high-quality and planned infrastructure; superior standard services, personalized and individualized service, and privacy linked to a unique location.
Travel2Latam: How does FESTURIS stand out in offering unique experiences to visitors, and how is Grupo Bancorbrás collaborating to enrich these experiences?
Carlos Eduardo Pereira: FESTURIS stands out for offering unique experiences, just like Bancorbrás. We are investing our money in delivering unique experiences to tourists, through our partnership with Vivalá and the exclusive tour in Brasília: the Esplanada Harmonized Tasting, for example. All this to provide unique tours that go beyond visiting the cities' postcards and the traditional city tours. These tours aim to provide moments of learning and often even reflection.
Travel2Latam: What are the biggest challenges facing the tourism sector today and how is Bancorbrás Group preparing to transform these challenges into opportunities?
Carlos Eduardo Pereira: Among the challenges, it is worth mentioning the reduction in the availability of new aircraft and the increase in passenger demand. Flights are increasingly crowded and there are fewer opportunities. On the other hand, this means that we are promoting, promoting and facilitating regional tourism again. This also creates the opportunity to encourage medium and long-distance travel that can be done using other means of transport. I see this as a unique opportunity for us to continue selling and promoting tourism as a whole.
Travel2Latam: How do you see the future of tourism in Brasília in the next five years and what is the role of the Bancorbrás Group in this evolution, especially in the context of FESTURIS?
Carlos Eduardo Pereira: It is known that tourism in Brazil has been increasing every day, we are even breaking records for the amount spent within Brazil by foreign tourists and Brasília is a destination rich in architecture, due to its administrative importance, its monuments and its surroundings - rich destinations for different styles of travel.
Our main focus is the Esplanada Harmonized Tasting. Aimed at those who appreciate good wine, the company, in partnership with Vinícola Brasília, is just 50 minutes from the city. Customers will have the opportunity to taste four labels paired with artisanal empanadas, in addition to taking a guided tour of the wine production area, such as the tank room and oak barrels. The exclusive experience can be enjoyed in the indoor area of the wine bar or on the outdoor deck, with a beautiful view of the winery's garden and vineyard. We want to show tourists that our capital goes far beyond traditional civic tourism and that it also has diverse attractions for all audiences.
Report and photo: Mary de Aquino.