FIT Pantanal 2026 Boosts Tourism and Business in Mato Grosso with Strong Economic Impact
FIT Pantanal 2026, held in Cuiabá, is driving significant tourism growth and business transactions in Mato Grosso, highlighting regional cultural and economic strengths.
- • FIT Pantanal 2026 expects around 100,000 visitors from 44 municipalities demonstrating regional tourism and culture.
- • The event features 130 exhibitors in family agriculture and about 100 artisans in the Crafts Fair.
- • The Conexão Turismo program connects multiple Amazonian states to enhance tourism visibility.
- • First day business rounds generated about R$ 35 million, matching last year's overall result, emphasizing strong economic engagement.
Key details
The International Tourism Fair of Pantanal (FIT Pantanal 2026) officially opened on June 3 at the Pantanal Events Center in Cuiabá, marking an important milestone for tourism promotion and economic growth in Mato Grosso. The event is expected to attract around 100,000 visitors over its five-day run, reinforcing the state’s position as a key hub for tourism and business in Brazil’s Central-West and North regions.
Mayor Abilio Brunini highlighted Cuiabá’s strategic importance as a business and tourism center, noting that a significant portion of the region’s agricultural trade flows through the city. FIT Pantanal 2026 features participation from 44 municipalities, showcasing their tourism, cultural, artisanal, and gastronomic assets. Key attractions include the Family Agriculture Fair with 130 exhibitors promoting local products, such as artisanal cheeses and sweets, alongside a Crafts Fair featuring about 100 artisans from 15 municipalities.
The event also integrates the Conexão Turismo program, which connects states across the Legal Amazon region to boost tourism visibility and foster economic and social development. According to the president of the Mato Grosso Federation of Commerce, Wenceslau Júnior, Mato Grosso's tourism sector has grown by 54% in the past seven years, surpassing China's growth rate for the same period, and tourism activity increased 11% from January to April 2025 alone.
Economic impact is evident as the FIT Pantanal's business rounds generated approximately R$ 35 million on the first day, matching the previous year’s total. These rounds involved 26 companies with 242 business interactions, where 87% were considered promising. The National Round saw a 62% increase in expected deal value, reaching R$ 28.8 million compared to last year. Director-superintendent Lélia Brun of Sebrae/MT credited these results to sustained efforts in product development and training of small businesses to enhance tourism.
Organized by Fecomércio-MT and the Mato Grosso government, FIT Pantanal 2026 aims to integrate tourism, culture, and economy, providing a comprehensive platform for regional promotion. The event’s success underscores Mato Grosso’s evolving tourism landscape and its growing role in driving regional economic development through strategic business and cultural initiatives.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (5)
Source comparison
Number of municipalities participating
Sources report different numbers of municipalities participating in the fair.
cuiaba.mt.gov.br
"The fair features participation from 43 municipalities."
sapicua.com.br
"The fair showcases stands from 44 municipalities in Mato Grosso."
Why this matters: One source states that 43 municipalities are participating, while another claims there are 44 municipalities. This discrepancy affects the understanding of the fair's scale and representation.