As a landmark, the Trade Fair of the 22nd Festival do Turismo de Gramado obtained a growth of 14.5% in its physical area and 12% in the number of visitors. Through its aisles, more than 13 thousand professionals of the trade walked about. For the directors of the event, Marta Rossi, Marcus Rossi and Eduardo Zorzanello, as Brazil is the issuing country of the time, the perspective for the next year is to broaden the relationship with Latin American and European countries, having as focus the North of Brazil and North America. With that, we hope to reach the mark of 15 thousand participants in 2011.
This year, for the first time, the booking of stands for the exhibitors for our next edition was carried out. Something else that was also new was the remarkable presence of Italy, represented by the region of Veneto, which had a highlighted stand in the International area of the fair, and the town of Levico-Terme, which signed the term of intentions of partnership with Gramado. Besides Italy, more than 30 countries participated of the event, such as Venezuela, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Equator, Peru, Guatemala, Costa Rica, the United States and practically all the Brazilian states.
Mainstream themes prepared in a partnership with the Brazilian Travel Agencies Association of Rio Grande do Sul (Abav-RS), the Congress has discussed current and polemic themes. On the first day, promising data were presented by the panelists. The president of the Administrative Board (Conselho Administrativo) of CVC Turismo, Guilherme Paulus, opened the cycle of lectures with the panel: A new look upon the Touristic Industry in a Globalized Economy: Sustainability, Businesses and Investments, central theme of the event. For him, "Brazil is the country in focus for the other countries in terms of sustainability, businesses and investments ". Márcio Favilla, director of the World Tourism Organization (WTO), presented some research results carried out by the institution. Among them, he showed that 75% of the Gross National Product (GNP) of Brazil comes from internal tourism and 25% from international tourism. Favilla highlighted that, in 1980, 70% of tourism was aimed at developed countries and 30% at underdeveloped ones and that today this figure is almost equalized.
On the second day, the Festuris Congress was ended with a debate about the chaos in Brazilian airports. Respício A. Espírito Santo Jr, president of Instituto Brasileiro de Estudos Estratégicos e de Políticas Públicas em Transporte Aéreo (CEPTA), said that the country is mistaken about thinking of improvements bearing in mind the World Cup and the Olympic Games. “We have to prepare the airports for the daily basis, not only because there are some planned events to come”. The president of CEPTA also highlighted that the airports are not worried about the levels of service at present, where items such as lighting, temperature, parking and signs are included. The president of SNEA, José Márcio Mollo, said that for 2010 the forecast of the increase in the number of passengers is of 25% in relation to the previous year. Mollo confirmed that the great airfield problem is the infra-structure of the airports.
The Trade Fair of the 21nd Festival do Turismo de Gramado obtained a growth of 14.6% in assembly, 6.71% in the number of stands and the availability of more than a thousand meters with the second pavilion. Through its aisles, 12.860 professionals of the trade were walking around. The directors of the event, Marta Rossi and Silvia Zorzanello, highlighted that their growth is planned and structured on a solid basis, always aiming at quality – rather than at quantity – of the public that comes to the fair. "There is a very special care so as to maintain the affectivity as well as the quality in the relationships with our exhibitors, sponsors, visitors and guests", they explain.
According to them, the fair reacted well to the crisis that strongly affected the market this past year, as a result of influenza A and the recession that affected many countries. In 2009, a second pavilion was created, “Destinos em Destaque” – destinations on the spotlight, which counted with the premiere of South Africa in the Festival and of Famurs (Federação dos Municípios do Rio Grande do Sul). Another novelty was the LGBT Tourism Saloon, carried out in a partnership with IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association). More than 30 countries participated of the event, such as Venezuela, Italy, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Equator, Peru, Guatemala, Costa Rica and practically all the Brazilian states.
"Facing the Future in a Creative way – Trends of the Touristic and Travel Industry” was the theme of the Congress of the 21st Festival do Turismo de Gramado. One of the high points of the event was the discussion about the liberation of the air fares, which counted with the presence of the president of the Agência Nacional de Aviação Civil (ANAC), Solange Paiva Vieira, and with the president of the Sindicato Nacional das Empresas Aeroviárias, José Márcio Mollo. Solange used some research data in order to illustrate her explanation showing that Brazil has increased 1.3% due to the flexibility of tariff prices and highlighted that the market grows because of the diversification of the enterprises, increasing a lot with the liberation.
The LGBT tourism was also presented by the ambassador for Brazil of the International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA), Clóvis Casemiro, and by the director of the Associação Brasileira de Turismo para Gays, Lésbicas e Simpatizantes (ABRAT), Marta Dalla Shiesar. Another highlight was Sustainable Tourism, which was presented by the superintendent of Desenvolvimento de Negócios Sustentáveis do Grupo Santander Brasil, Júlio Bin. “Brazil has a huge potential to grow in this sector and to be noteworthy for the historic, cultural and natural attributes that make the country a unique touristic destination”, said Bin. For him, the growth must benefit the appraisal and preservation of the traditions and local knowledge, the protection of the biodiversity and provide equitable economic gain.
The Festival do Turismo de Gramado finished its 20th edition with a growth of 7% in public. There were 12.045 professionals of tourism participating in the business fair. As for the physical area, the growth was of 7.5%. The event counted with more than 2 thousand brands being exhibited in the fair, with an area of around 16 thousand square meters. According to the promoters of the event, Marta Rossi and Silvia Zorzanello, the growth is planned and structured on a solid basis, aiming at quality – rather than at quantity – of the public that comes to the fair. Besides, they say that there is a very special care so as to maintain the affectivity as well as the quality in the relationships with their exhibitors, sponsors, visitors and guests.
Marta and Silvia also celebrated the growth of the Festival, highlighting that more than 50% of the exhibitors have participated of the event since its beginning, in 1989. They also foreground that, this year, many tourism operators chose to participate in the Festival do Turismo de Gramado rather than in other events, justifying that, in Gramado, the focus is concentrated on businesses. According to the promoters, the fair reacted well to the global crisis that strongly affects the economy of several countries. An evidence of this fact is that the event obtained a growth in relation to the past year. Such figures, as claimed by them, solely intensify the importance of this Gramado fair.
Similar to the previous years, the Festival do Turismo keeps on going to the stake for the segmentation, aspiring to generate the best results for the exhibitors. The saloons, a differential in relation to the other events of the sector, bring about a separation in different areas. This year, the 6th Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Saloon, the 5th Technology for Tourism Saloon, the 4th Rural Tourism Saloon, the 3rd Medical Tourism Saloon, the 2nd Mystic and Religious Tourism Saloon were displayed, as well as the opening of the Cultural Tourism Saloon - which presented historical routes and the best of regional and Brazilian folklore, having achieved a rather expressive visitation.
More than 30 countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Equator, Chile, Israel, China, the United States, Portugal and Aruba participated in the trade fair. As stated by Marta and Silvia, the fair from Gramado is one of those that give more revenue to its exhibitors, opening space for commercialization, cultural exchange, and increment in the relationship with agents and international operators, update of products with traditional clients and search for new partners for future businesses.
With the goal to advertize the touristic products from Rio Grande do Sul to the rest of Brazil and Conesul (Mercosur) countries, Marta Rossi and Silvia Zorzanello decided to create the 1st Festival do Turismo de Gramado. The event was carried out from October 11th to 15th, in the sport gymnasium of the City Hall. It was an ambitious idea, but it wasn’t easy. The rain that fell on its first edition disclosed the precariousness of the gymnasium and its leaks. Even so, the Festival rose predestined to grow: the 90 exhibitors approved the proposal of the businesswomen who, with perseverance, have created an event that definitely designated Gramado’s vocation for tourism and the relevance of the town in the segment. “The trend is that this event always expands more”, Marta Rossi was already saying. The fair was held at the City Hall and the lectures were given at the events center of the Serra Azul Hotel.
The 2nd Festival was carried out from October 18th to 21st. The expectation of the participants was that they could disseminate the sales in the summer, increasing the tourist flow. “In such a hard year, in which many events were cancelled, we prefer to bet on the Festival, despite the great sacrifice. Those who will be here will do very good business”, forecasted the businesswomen. The fair counted with 110 exhibitors that believed in the slogan “Sell your summer” and exhibited their products and services for a public of 2 thousand people.
Carried out from October 24th to 27th, the 3rd Festival had as its theme the touristic integration with Cone Sul (Mercorsur). The fair got divided into two segments, a professional one, where the touristic products were commercialized, and a promotional one, where the hotels and official tourism boards could discuss with their public through panels.
The 4th Festival was carried out from October 9th to 12th and counted with the participation of 12 countries. The event was already showing its place in the spotlight in the national tourism scenario, becoming the biggest one of its kind in the south of the country. Marta and Sílvia received an honor from the director of ABAV/RS, José Torrano Coelho, for their remarkable work done in favor of the sector. The sport gymnasium of the City Hall is already too small due to the success of the event.
The Festival carried out the 5th edition from October 7th to 10th. The novelty was the 1st Tourism from Cone Sul - Mercosur Saloon, with 140 exhibitors in the City Hall pavilion. The opening was at the Serrano Hotel and gathered more than 3 thousand people. The movement from Gramadenses related to the necessity to build a fair center was growing. “The festival may grow twice or even three times more, since it is a great `business desk´”, asserted Marta and Silvia.
The 6th edition was carried out from October 20th to 23rd and gathered more than 3 thousand people. The lectures were given at the Serra Azul Hotel and the exhibition took place in the City Hall pavilions. The organizers projected a structure in the shape of a “bubble” next to the sport gymnasium to host more exhibitors (179 stands) and the mayor granted his office for the registration and reception of the visitors. The event was signaling that it needed a bigger area. More than 30 exhibitors were in the waiting list.
The 7th edition of the Festival and the 3rd of the Tourism from Cone Sul - Mercosur Saloon, were carried out from October 19th to 21st. The novelty this year was the presence of entrepreneurs from the European Union. More than 3.500 people came to see the 190 exhibitors in the City Hall pavilion. “We are seeking for quality to well receive those who come to the event”, Marta and Silvia assert, justifying once again the construction of an event center.
The event was carried out from October 31st to November 3rd and received more than 3.700 visitors that wanted to see the products and services from 230 exhibitors, from a diversity of states and nationalities. “The festival consolidates itself as the biggest business meeting in the south of the country due to its seriousness in its approaches and the recognition from the national and international touristic trade”, Marta and Silvia state at the occasion.
The 9th edition was carried out from November 6th to 9th and gathered more than 4 thousand people. The fair put together exhibitors from 15 countries. “During the festival, Gramado has in its hands executives who buy and sell touristic products, therefore the event has grown and ended up turning RS into a stage for businesses and debates about tourism”, the promoters comment.
Carried out from November 12th to 15th, the 10th Festival gathered more than 5 thousand people. For the first time, the event was carried out in two cities. The congress took place at the Serra Azul Hotel and the fair at the Centro de Feiras in Canela, hosting 320 stands. “We celebrate the 10 years of the Festival being sure that this is just the beginning of a long path and that we can grow much more”, Silvia states.
It was carried out from November 4th to 6th and gathered more than 6 thousand professionals from tourism. The debates took place at the Serra Azul while the fair was held at ExpoGramado with more than 1.600 exhibitors divided in 380 stands. The event added to its program the 1st Business Saloon of Ugart and the 1st Tourism of Rio Grande do Sul Saloon. The Services and Equipments for Tourism Fair was another novelty presented.
Representatives from 18 countries participated in the 12th edition of the Festival, carried out from November 9th to 12th, at the Sierra Park Events Center (today, Serra Park). “We are tourism labors”, states Sílvia, claiming that the event takes place in a region that is an example in touristic management. The event gathered 1.300 exhibiting companies in 350 stands and had more than 8 thousand people enrolled.
“Much more than the economic factor, tourism entices the integration of peoples, once it is an activity without boundaries”, said Marta at the opening of the 13th edition, carried out from November 8th to 10th, at Sierra Park. For the first time, a governor (Olívio Dutra) is present in this event, which gathered more than 1.600 companies in 310 stands. The number of Professional participants was superior to 8 thousand people.
“The quality of the exhibiting companies, the level of the participants, the support from the mainstream press, and the valorization of the event from the sponsors collaborate for the festival to be the 2nd biggest tourism event in Brazil”, said the promoters during the 14th edition, carried out from November 7th to 10th, at Sierra Park. The debates took place at the Serrano Hotel. The Festival gathered a public of 9 thousand people, 1.700 exhibiting companies in 330 stands.
Carried out from November 13th to 16th, at Sierra Park, the 15th edition had as novelties the Touristic Trade from RS Saloon, the Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Saloon, the Touristic Trade from Mercosur Saloon and Cooperativado Touristcard. More than 1.700 companies presented their products and services in 360 stands. The event received the governor Germano Rigotto and the Minister of Tourism, Walfrido dos Mares Guia.
Carried out from November 18th to 21st, the 16th Festival received representatives from 35 countries and gathered 1.900 companies distributed in 370 stands. The public of the congress was of 11 thousand people. Highlights of this edition: the 1st Technology Saloon, the 2nd Ecotourism and Adventure Tourism Saloon, the 12th Touristic Trade from Mercosur Saloon and Cooperativo Touristcard Saloon.
Carried out from November 17th to 20th, the 17th edition gathered all the segments of the world tourism network with representatives from more than 30 countries. “The Festival proves the vitality of the Brazilian purchasing market. Travel Agents from all over the country comprise the profile of the visitor of the fair”, asserted the promoters. Among the novelties, the 1st Rural Tourism Saloon, that came about with the goal to stimulate the segment.
With 11 thousand participants, the 18th Festival was carried out from November 16th to 19th. There were 360 stands where 1.100 companies exhibited their products and services in tourism. A new saloon was created in 2006: Medical Tourism. The event received the visit of foreign businessmen as part of the Caravanas Brasil program (carried out by Sebrae and Embratur) and the Secretary of Tourism of the State also conducted its State Forum of Tourism in the event.
Carried out from November 22nd to 25th, the 2007 edition headed towards segmentation and growth. The 2nd round of businesses from Sebrae and the 1st Mystic and Religious Tourism Saloon are to be highlighted. The segmentation of the fair is also one of the strengths of the event, since it establishes contact with those who purchase and sell tourism in Brazil, in the Americas, in Asia, in Africa and in Europe.
On the edge of completing 20 editions, the Festival do Turismo acclaims itself as the biggest generator of businesses in tourism in Latin America. After two decades, the businesswomen gain the recognition and the respect from all the national and international trade touristic. “We feel extremely gratified for having launched this event, and for acknowledging that today it is an important tool in the promotion of tourism”, they summarize. In this edition, the Cultural Tourism Saloon is launched and the Hall of Honors is inaugurated, which gathers the people granted with the trophy Amigos do Festival (Friends of the Festival) throughout the two decades of the event. "Independently of the position, company or profession, they are friends who have always believed in the potential of the event", state Marta and Silvia.
Despite the crisis that strongly affected the market, the Festival overcomes expectations. It grows in area with the opening of the second pavilion of Serra Park, which receives the new Destinations in highlight, and had the presence of South Africa in its opening. Another novelty is the LGBT Tourism Saloon, carried out in a partnership with IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association). More than 30 countries and practically all the Brazilian states are present in the fair, which receives approximately 13 thousand professionals from the trade.
Marking a new era, the Trade Fair of the 22nd Festival do Turismo de Gramado obtained a growth of 14.5% in physical area, 12% in the number of visitors. Through its aisles, more than 13 thousand professionals of the trade walked around. The directors of the event, Marta Rossi, Marcus Rossi and Eduardo Zorzanello, highlight that the growth is planned and structured on a solid basis, always aiming at professionalism and commitment. "Brazil is the issuing country of the time, next year we will enlarge the relationship with Latin, European and North American countries”, they explain. A novelty was the remarkable presence of Italy, with the Veneto region and the city of Levico-Terme present with a remarkable participation in the International fair. More than 30 countries participated in the event, among them Venezuela, Italy, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Equator, Peru, Guatemala, Costa Rica and the United States and practically all the Brazilian states.
The prosperity of the Festival do Turismo de Gramado was possible thanks to effort and hard work. Nevertheless, the event wouldn’t be the biggest one in generating businesses if it weren’t for the professionalism and commitment from friends.
"Independently of the position held, company or profession, our friends have always believed in the potential of the event", Marta Rossi states.
"The responsible work developed by, added to the support from these true close friends, have turned this into a tourism business event among the best ones of the world", estimate the businesswoman. So as to perpetuate in history the recognition to its partners, the Festival has created the Hall of Honors, where all those who much contributed to the consolidation of the event throughout more than two decades are there.
Without its friends, the Festival wouldn’t be the same
