Festuris 2026 Expands Latin American Partnerships as Copa do Mundo Fuels Small Business Growth

The International Tourism Fair of Gramado, Festuris 2026, is ramping up its international outreach by forging new business opportunities with Paraguay and Argentina. At the same time, Brazil’s 2026 FIFA World Cup continues to act as a robust catalyst for economic activity among small businesses, especially in hospitality and leisure sectors.

Festuris 2026 executives, including CEOs Eduardo Zorzanello and Marta Rossi, alongside Luxury Space coordinator Jardel Hay, have been strategically engaging tourism leaders across São Paulo, Asunción, and Buenos Aires. Their agenda included renewing a partnership with Gol Linhas Aéreas as the event's official airline, meeting Paraguay's Minister of Tourism Jacinto Santa Maria, and inviting Paraguayan luxury market operators to deepen collaboration. Zorzanello emphasized the fair’s objective to integrate Paraguay into Festuris as hosted buyers, thereby strengthening Latin America’s tourism business network for the event scheduled in Gramado from November 12-15, 2026 under the theme “Real Relationships that Build the Future.”

Meanwhile, the 2026 FIFA World Cup has invigorated Brazil's small business landscape beyond the stadiums. According to Fábio Souza, owner of Ermenilde Restaurante in Palmas, the event has driven new marketing innovations and promotions aimed at increasing sales and brand presence. Consumers’ behavior shows a pivot towards shared, collective experiences during matches rather than individual consumption, which has led to a rise in activity at bars and restaurants. Sebrae Tocantins manager, Amaggeldo Barbosa, highlights a shift in generational habits, noting younger audiences’ decreased interest in alcoholic beverages, influencing how businesses tailor offerings. Despite this segmentation, the event overall promotes increased spending in food, drink, and leisure sectors.

Together, efforts by Festuris 2026 in expanding international tourism partnerships and the Copa do Mundo’s positive socioeconomic ripple effect demonstrate how major global and regional events in 2026 are fostering new business growth and cross-border opportunities within Latin America.