FESTURIS Gramado – Italy on the map of Brazilians

Recent surveys point to a growth in the number of Brazilians who visit Italy annually. According to the National Tourism Agency of Italy in Brazil (Enit), the destination expects an increase of at least 20% in the number of Brazilians visiting Italy in 2017, compared to last year. The 2016 data has not yet been calculated, but in 2015 the country received 873 thousand Brazilians, an increase of 14.4% in relation to 2014. In the numbers of overnight stays, there were 2.2 million, a 16.9% increase in comparison to 2014. To get an idea of the economic impact, last year Brazilians spendings in Italy grew by 5.7% compared to 2015.

The 20 Italian regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Molise, Piemonte, Puglia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Trentino Alto Adige, Umbria, Valle d ‘Aosta and Veneto are a very attractive route, and they are welcoming visitor at any time of the year.

Italy, through Enit, confirms participation as an exhibitor at FESTURIS Gramado – International Tourism Trade Show, from November 9th to 12th, 2017. The country joins several international destinations already confirmed as Texas, Argentina, Barbados, Las Vegas, Los Cabos, Dominican Republic, Seychelles, Santa Monica, South Africa, Tahiti, Uruguay, Peru, Mexico, Portugal, California, among others.

In an interview with FESTURIS, Fernanda Longobardo, Enit spokesperson, talks about the close relationship between Brazil and Italy, and the actions that the agency designs to enhance the Brazilian tourist’s attraction to their country.

FESTURIS – Currently which regions are trending in Italy?

Fernanda Longobardo – Italy has 20 regions and Brazilians relate to all of them. Culture, historical heritage, religious tourism, seaside tourism, gastronomy, wine tourism and, of course, sports. But not only football, but golf, and skiing are also on the rise. Not to mention all the cultural diversity that Italy offers.

FESTURIS – What are the main actions taken this year to promote the destination in Brazil?

Fernanda Longobardo – We are participating in the most important events of the trade to promote our tourism in the country. We also support various events and exhibitions, such as the Leonardo da Vinci, which runs through some cities in the country, as well as co-marketing with operators and training workshops. Press-trips and fun-trips are also scheduled.

FESTURIS – What facilities do Brazilian and South American tourists find when deciding to visit Italy?

Fernanda Longobardo – Italy is a brother country of Brazil. We have a lot in common and the Brazilian feels very much at home in Italy. The gastronomy, no doubt, is the main responsible for this brotherhood. But the relationship with the family, with religion and with the natural beauties, culture and everything else, make Brazilians see, in Italy, a mandatory destination when they decide to travel.

FESTURIS – Italy returns to FESTURIS Gramado. This return brings the destination closer to the South American trade and the gaucho professionals who have a strong connection with the country through its colonization. How does the representation sees it and intend to enhance this approach?

Fernanda Longobardo – We know the importance of FESTURIS in the Brazilian touristic scenario and we could not stay out of it. It’s another opportunity to approach the trade.

FESTURIS – At the trade show in November, what is the main approach to selling the destination to professionals?
Fernanda Longobardo – We will spread the word about Italy, this is our role. But we want to retake our position with trade and we know that FESTURIS is the best opportunity for this.