The city of Rio de Janeiro is hosting an international event focused on tourism, business, and innovation from Wednesday, March 12, to Friday, March 14. The inaugural edition of TurisMall is taking place across various locations, including the Museum of Tomorrow, the Museum of Art of Rio, Casa Firjan, the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro, and the Copacabana Palace. This event aims to bring together public sector representatives, tourism industry executives, investors, and experts to discuss tourism’s role as a driver of economic development. Organizers anticipate over five thousand participants, with approximately 1,800 tourism agents visiting the exhibition area daily.
The Museum of Tomorrow, located in the Port Region, serves as the central hub for the event, featuring a fair with around 20 exhibitors, including tourist destinations and sector companies. States and cities such as Mato Grosso do Sul, São Paulo, Foz do Iguaçu, Niterói, and Petrópolis are participating to showcase projects and attract business opportunities.
The event includes panels and discussions with international tourism executives. Notable speakers include Terry Dale, President of the United States Tour Operators Association; Ray Bloom, founder of the IMEX Group; and Simon Mayle, Global Director of the International Luxury Travel Market.
TurisMall’s program is divided into thematic forums held throughout the city. The Museum of Tomorrow hosts OpenTurisTech, focusing on digital transformation in tourism, covering topics like artificial intelligence, data protection, virtual tourism, and technological solutions for enhancing visitor experiences. The Museum of Art of Rio hosts the Audiovisual and Tourism Forum, exploring how film, television, and streaming productions can turn locations into tourist attractions. Casa Firjan focuses on Brazil-China relations, discussing investment opportunities and increasing tourist flow between the two nations. Additionally, the Commercial Association of Rio de Janeiro hosts a meeting with diplomatic representatives from nine countries to discuss international cooperation and the “blue economy,” related to maritime and tourism activities.
A parallel event at the Copacabana Palace, organized by the Business Leaders Group, gathers around 80 female leaders from tourism, public management, and business sectors. Patrícia Hespanha, Executive Director of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027, will speak about the tournament’s impact on Brazil’s international profile.
A gastronomic festival open to the public will take place around the Museum of Tomorrow during the three-day event. The final day includes training sessions for tourism agents and operators, focusing on professional development and experience exchange among companies and tourist destinations. The organizers aim to position Rio de Janeiro as a hub for international tourism industry events and to increase investment attraction in the sector.
