The State will have a sustainable stand at the 2023 edition

After certifying Bonito as the world’s first carbon neutral ecotourism destination, the State of Mato Grosso do Sul has confirmed its participation at WTM Latin America in order to reinforce the offer and highlight the new features for the region’s trade. With a substantial participation in the event, the state will take between 20 and 30 sharers from the Campo Grande, Pantanal and Bonito route. “Local operators, hoteliers, representatives from bed-and-breakfast establishments in the Pantanal and Bonito’s attractions, among others, will be on hand for the interested public,” explains Bruno Wendling, the CEO of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul’s Tourism Foundation (Fundtur/MS).

Among the new features, the executive highlights the launch of the Pantaneira Route, with the presence of some of the chefs who contribute to the gastronomic route. There are ten enterprises along the Pantanal, from Aquidauana to Corumbá, which expand the public’s perception of what the State of Mato Grosso do Sul has to offer, taking into account the nature, fauna, and flora attractions, in addition to this very strong cultural component.

Derived from the route, the “Gastronomic Pathfinder” campaign is another first for the state at the event. “WTM Latin America is the first event in Brazil to exhibit the new campaign, which is designed to reinforce this cornerstone as the identity of the State of Mato Grosso do Sul’s tourism product. We have been working with the Pantanal culture for a period of time, but now we are putting gastronomy and music at the forefront in terms of attracting travellers to the Pantanal,” Wendling points out.

“We are very happy to be able count, once again, on a strong presence from the State of Mato Grosso do Sul at our event,” says WTM Latin America’s director Daniel Zanetti, reinforcing that, apart from the exhibition area, with its countless differentials, the destination is one of the event’s strategic partners as well as being a sponsor of the third edition of the Responsible Tourism Award, which will be delivered on April 4, on the stage of the Explore Transformation Theatre. “The award combines with what we have been doing and with the image we wish to stress, given that the State of Mato Grosso do Sul has won a number of awards like this one at a global level, including at WTM London 2013, when the municipality of Bonito was elected the world’s best destination for responsible tourism at the World Responsible Tourism Awards,” recalls Wendling.

This commitment to sustainability will also be reinforced at Mato Grosso do Sul’s stand, which was designed to be carbon neutral: “We have started to offset all the emissions from the events we take part in by purchasing carbon credits. Those who visit our stand will be able to check the calculation in real time, using the screens provided at the stand”, he adds. In order to enhance its exposure, Mato Grosso do Sul will also sponsor the registration area. “It is one of the most visible areas, because all the participants pass through there. The idea is to have an impact on visitors as soon as they arrive to reinforce the Mato Grosso do Sul brand in the domestic and international market”, he argues.

Another front is the offer of training courses throughout the event. “WTM Latin America manages to attract a qualified audience and these are the professionals that we want to hear from. We want to train and bring some international operators to our destinations in order to consolidate the message”, he summarises. Having been in charge of Fundtur/MS for the last six years, Bruno Wendling argues in favour of the professionalisation of tourism events which, in his view, should offer proposals that go beyond brand exposure.