Meeting ¡Esto Es Paraná!, in Madrid - Spain.

The company Mais C Eventos, in partnership with Viaje Paraná, an entity connected to the Department of Tourism of Paraná State (Setu-PR), continues its mission to impact the foreign tourist market. A delegation from the State held a training session involving more than 50 Spanish travel agents during the "Meeting ¡Esto Es Paraná!" on Monday night (19) in Madrid, Spain's capital.

Focused on promoting novelties and expanding the State's presence in the travel plans and desires of European tourists, the promotional entity showcased the potential, destinations, services, and unique attractions of Paraná to the professionals. One detail is that nearly 15% of the participants were from outside Madrid, coming from various parts of Spain.

The Meeting is an exclusive and itinerant event, which will also visit Lisbon and Porto (both in Portugal) throughout the month of February. These actions are part of the protocol of intentions signed with the airline TAP, which also includes the promotion of the new direct flight from Lisbon to Curitiba.

The route was announced by Governor Carlos Massa Ratinho Júnior, representatives of the company, and the board of Viaje Paraná last November. Already in operation, the flights will start in July this year, adding to the other seven routes connecting other countries directly to Paraná - three of which were conquered in 2024.

"The new direct flight will bring more tourists from abroad to our Territories. It is essential that Viaje Paraná builds this bridge with the market, showing not only the novelties and good connectivity of the State but all the qualified attractions and services we have, prepared to meet the demands of the agents and enchant the foreign public, with comfort and quality," said Leonaldo Paranhos, State Secretary of Tourism.

Irapuan Cortes, CEO of Viaje Paraná, emphasizes that impacting the market of the second continent that sends the most international tourists to the State (Europe) and the European country that has sent the most tourists to Paraná over the past eight years (Spain) is strategic.

"This is the first of a series of actions we will develop this year, focusing on foreign audiences and the trade, seeking all the positive returns they can bring to the State in terms of tourism and economy. Today, the State is a reference in Brazil and abroad, attracting the attention of major operators and becoming a desire for many tourists," said Cortes.

ATTRACTIONS MENU - At the event, Viaje Paraná presents to agents a true menu of state tourism, with qualified options that capture the public's attention. Destinations such as Curitiba, its winter season, and the largest free Christmas in Brazil; the wineries of the Metropolitan Region; the Coast, with a train ride through the Serra do Mar, Barreado, and the Summer Shows; the Campos Gerais, with nature parks and ethnic colonies; the waterfalls of Prudentópolis; among others, stand out.

Additionally, of course, there is Foz do Iguaçu, in the West, where the Iguaçu Falls are located - one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World - and other qualified attractions such as the Macuco Safari; trails through the Iguaçu National Park - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Bird Park, the new Aquafoz aquarium, and much more.

Along with Viaje Paraná, authorities from the sector also participated, such as the Tourism Secretary of Foz do Iguaçu, Jin Petrycoski; the president of Curitiba Convention, Gislaine Queiroz; and the State Secretary of Culture, Luciana Casagrande.

The Secretary presented to the public more information about the State's Cultural Tourism and a new attraction to be inaugurated in Paraná. Foz do Iguaçu will be the first city on the continent to receive a satellite of the renowned French museum Centre Pompidou. The forecast is for the construction of the attraction to begin in the first semester of this year, attracting even more tourism flow to the State and the municipality.

"Participating in the event in Madrid is a strategic opportunity to show that Paraná goes far beyond its already acclaimed natural attractions. Cultural Tourism is a major strength of our State, and we already have international references, such as the Oscar Niemeyer Museum in Curitiba, the largest art museum in Latin America," said Luciana.

"We will present this cultural vocation to new audiences and, above all, project the future: to spread the Centre Pompidou Paraná, to be installed in Foz do Iguaçu, the first satellite of the French museum on the entire continent. It is a decisive step to position Paraná on the international circuit of culture, art, and tourism," concluded the Culture Secretary.

INTERNATIONAL MISSION - In addition to the Meeting, the Viaje Paraná delegation continues in Spain to participate in one of the largest global events in the sector. The International Tourism Fair of Madrid (Fitur) will take place from January 21 to 25, where the State will have its own stand, with promotional materials translated into Spanish, activations, and the presence of selected Paranaense co-exhibitors through demonstrations of interest.

Participation also represents the continuity of a series of international actions. It was at the last edition of Fitur, at the beginning of 2025, that Viaje Paraná began negotiations with Grupo Viajes El Corte Inglés, which later that year resulted in the creation of a tourist package destined to the State, in addition to destination promotions in Gran Via de Madrid, Barajas and El Prat airports, and a series of Spanish stores.

Through the partnership with the group, Paraná also hosted travel agents from Spain on Famtours and trained professionals in person. These and other strategic actions caused Spain to jump from the 10th to the 3rd largest global emitter of foreign travelers to the State between July and November 2025.