Richard D'Souza of Payless Travel & Gabriela Prodea of SkyLink Holidays
Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce's Mirian Ribeiro, BDM & Fabiana Silva, V.P.
Adelino Sales of Latin World Tours &
Tres Lobo of Connaissance Travel & Tours
Airliner's Henry Nigoghossian tastes an assortment of traditional Amazonas food
The 3 chefs flown in especially for the event, Felipe Schaedler; Mônica Rangel; &
Jonatas Moreira
Ladies in the traditional costume of the Parintins festival in Amazonas
Brazil has a busy couple years ahead with the upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The nation is not only busy prepping for these world class sporting events, but Embratur, the Brazilian Tourist Board, is on a mission to promote the country as a tourist destination.
Last week, 200 travel agents and trade partners gathered at YTO’s Ritz Carlton for the ‘Goal to Brasil’ tourism event, hosted by Embratur. “With ‘Goal to Brasil,’ we hope to show you a bit of our culture. We are promoting not only the World Cup, but the tourism destination of Brazil,” said Marco Antônio de Britto Lomanto, Embratur’s Director of Products and Tourist Destinations. “Parts of Brazil are already well known, like Rio and Iguazu Falls. But we want to show all the products of our destination we are offering to tour operators and agents.”
12 Brazilian cities have been chosen to host the 2014 World Cup: Manaus; Cuiabá; Curitiba; Porto Alegre; Brasilia; Belo Horizonte; São Paolo; Fortaleza; Natal; Recife; Salvador; and Rio de Janeiro. With 14 different ‘Goal to Brasil’ events held around the world, each event will highlight 1 of these cities specifically to give guests the opportunity to experience some of its culture, gastronomy and learn what the city has to offer. For the YTO affair, the city of Manaus, located in the state of Amazonas, was the focus.
Agents in attendance were given an event passport upon registration. After meeting with each of the 12 destination reps, getting their passports stamped and taking in a presentation, agents were qualified as Level 1 Brazil Specialists. To become a Level 2 Specialist, agents were asked to log on to Embratur’s website to participate in a webinar.
While guests met with reps from each of the 12 FIFA host cities, delicious hors d’oeuvres and appetizers traditional from the Amazonas region were passed around. Each dish was skillfully prepared by 3 chefs specially flown in from Brazil! Also flown in for the event was 70 k. of Brazilian ingredients direct from Manaus. And of course, a celebration isn’t complete without a rum spiked beverage. Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha, was a refreshing addition to the culturally influenced menu.
“The 2014 FIFA World Cup, 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio, this opens new avenues for cooperation between Canadians and Brazil,” said Afonso Cardoso, Consul General of Brazil in Toronto. “It is a good opportunity to showcase our culture, nature and to have fruitful exchange with our visitors.”
Miguel Capobiango Neto, Coordinator for the World Cup Management Unit, said, “During the World Cup, we can showcase ourselves to the world. The World Cup will be like the window into Brazil.”
For agents who were unable to make it to the YTO edition of ‘Goal to Brasil’ but still wish to obtain a Brazil certification, you can attend another Embratur showcase to take in the 45 minute presentation. Embratur will host a ‘Goal to Brasil’ event in May 2013 in NY and is planning a couple more Canadian workshops next year as well. According to Arthur Grimaldi, Embratur’s North American Market Specialist, their 2013 schedule of events should be available by December.
Marco Antônio de Britto Lomanto, Embratur’s Director of Products & Tourist Destinations; Oreni Campêlo Braga da Silva, President, Amazonas Tourist Board; Afonso Carodoso, Consul General of Brazil in Toronto; and
Miguel Capobiango Neto, Coordinator, World Cup Management Unit
