The Government of Amazonas, through the Amazonas State Tourism Company (Amazonastur), brought together 22 municipalities in the 3rd Amazonas Tourism Festival and the 3rd Amazonas Tourism Convention (Conta), which was held on May 16 and 17, in collaboration with the Brazilian Association of Amazonas Travel Agencies (Abav-AM), in Manaus.
The event seeks to promote regional tourism, offering visitors the opportunity to discover the natural beauty, culture and artisanal products of each place. Also highlighting that the Amazon is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature in the world, and that gives it great potential for growth in tourism.
There were about 400 exhibitors, more than 5,000 registered, several states and municipalities in Brazil, 22 of the Amazon, and participants also from other countries such as France, Italy, Aruba and Colombia, among others.
The stands of the participating municipalities were an invitation to a journey through the diversity of the Amazon. Indigenous crafts, necklaces, earrings and pieces made with seeds and natural fibers, such as those brought by São Gabriel da Cachoeira; gastronomic products such as jams, nuts and the pujuri liqueur of Borba; wooden pieces, essential oils and natural cosmetics were just some of the attractions.
In addition, the event featured demonstrations of indigenous painting, valuing the culture of the original peoples and providing an immersive experience to visitors. Among the most outstanding aspects, the municipality of Borba (151 kilometers from Manaus) brought products derived from Puxuri, a plant with medicinal and gastronomic properties. Gustavo Buzaglo, representative of Borba, highlighted the importance of participating in the event, “that each municipality brings its products, a little of its culture, a little of what it has to show tourists, it will undoubtedly be a showcase for us to promote our products and our municipality,” said the one who presented the Puxuri artisanal liquor, produced in Borba.
The representative of São Gabriel da Cachoeira (852 kilometers from Manaus), Suzete Serafim, highlighted the positive impact of participating in the event, especially in the appreciation of local crafts. “We are taking a little of our culture through tucum crafts, precious stones, seeds, as well as our typical drink and gastronomy. It’s really great, because it arouses the curiosity of people, both local and foreign, and motivates them to get to know our city. We are very happy to promote our culture,” he said.
For the Secretary of Tourism of Barcelos (339 kilometers from Manaus), Vadilson Gonçalves da Silva, the event represents an opportunity to present the city and its riches to the public. “This event is an important showcase for Barcelos. We brought local crafts, produced by our indigenous communities, and we are promoting our main tourist potential, such as sport fishing, the Ornamental Fish Festival and ecotourism in the Serra do Aracá. It is an opportunity to show the diversity and potential of our city,” he said.