Festuris expands the boundaries of inclusion with accessibility initiatives

Now in its 37th edition, Festuris - Gramado International Tourism Fair is taking a firm and inspiring step towards inclusion. Much more than a meeting place for business and global tourism trends, the event has established itself as a space where diversity is celebrated, welcomed, and represented. Through a series of initiatives designed and implemented in partnership with the entities MOVER and SEMEARHIS, Festuris will present a robust accessibility structure.

"The accessibility actions of Festuris 2025 are not mere adaptations, they are the reflection of a vision that understands inclusion as part of innovation and sustainable development. Tourism is, and needs to be increasingly, inclusive and accessible. With this partnership with Mover and Semearhis, the event demonstrates that it is possible, and necessary, to build accessible spaces with intention, planning, and affection. We are looking at all people and want to transform tourism and inspire those who work in tourism," says Eduardo Zorzanello, CEO of Festuris.

"We believe that tourism is only truly transformative when it is for everyone. Accessibility is not a differential, it is a commitment to human dignity. At Festuris, we have a responsibility to inspire the market to look at people, all of them, with greater sensitivity. To include is to see, to welcome, to create experiences that respect and value diversity. And that is the path we want to follow," says Marta Rossi, CEO of Festuris. 

This year, unprecedented and careful measures have been designed to assist people with visual and hearing impairments, reduced mobility, and low vision. The goal is to facilitate access and provide a complete, safe, informative, and welcoming experience.

Technology and sensitivity: Mover's approach to inclusion

MOVER, an organization that has been working with excellence in promoting accessibility for years, will be responsible for a series of implementations that combine assistive technology, universal design, and empathy. Among the new features is the installation of tactile flooring in the accreditation area, ensuring safe guidance for people with visual impairments from the moment they enter the event.

Beacons will be installed in specific areas of the fair. These small technological devices, about the size of a cookie, work in conjunction with a mobile app. When passing through one of these areas, visually impaired visitors will automatically receive an audio description of the environment, its dimensions, and the content offered there. This information is accessible in real time.

The beacon app will be available at the accessible registration desk, so visitors can easily install the tool and enjoy the entire structure.

In addition, Braille signage will be provided for all exhibitors in the Diversity and B&I (Business & Innovation) spaces, increasing the autonomy and interaction of blind people with the stands.

Semearhis: accessibility in multiple forms of communication

SEMEARHIS, with its sensitive and committed approach, offers Festuris 2025 a true network of accessible resources, ranging from Braille materials to videos with translation into Brazilian Sign Language.

There will be audio descriptions of the fair and its program, allowing people with visual impairments to fully understand the event and its activities, with a wealth of details.

Videos in Brazilian Sign Language will be produced with two focuses: an invitation to the event and another presenting the complete program, ensuring the right to information for deaf people who use Brazilian Sign Language.

For those who use Braille, details such as the program in A4 book format will be available at the accessible registration desk; a list of exhibitors in Braille will also be available at the registration desk; Braille menus will be available for use in the food court; and people with low vision will have a menu printed in large font.

Those who prefer auditory resources will be able to access audio narration of the fair, the program, and the menu, all accessed through QR Codes strategically distributed in 15 locations within the fair.

A major highlight will be the presence of two tactile maps, developed in partnership with Inclusiva Arquitetura - architectural solutions consulting and design: one next to Pavilion 1 and another between Pavilions 1 and 2. 

These maps are essential for blind people to understand the structure of the event and move around more safely and independently.

There will also be a resource focused on mobility and dwarfism: rental equipment available at the LGBT+ Diversity warehouse, ready to be picked up if needed.

Sign language on stage

Sign language communication will not be restricted to videos. Festuris 2025 will have sign language interpreters on the main stages of the event, ensuring full access to the content presented live.

On the main content stage, Meeting Festuris, there will be a Libras interpreter on the mornings of the 7th and 8th, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., throughout the panel schedule. In the afternoon, also on the 7th and 8th, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the Diversity and ESG stages will also have a Libras interpreter available.

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