With a meeting that brought together 98 key players in the region's tourism and services sector, the first steps were taken and the countdown began towards the mega-event, the World Rally Championship (WRC), which aims to set the sport's agenda and put Paraguay in the world spotlight.
The meeting, organized by the National Secretariat of Tourism (Senatur), Rediex, the Government of Itapúa and MITIC, in addition to various public and private institutions, served as a starting point to coordinate efforts and ensure that Itapúa is prepared to receive thousands of national and international tourists.
Itapúa, the official venue of the event, aims to attract one million visitors over the next three years, said the Vice Minister of Rediex, Rodrigo Maluff, who highlighted the importance of the WRC as a driver of tourism development for the region.
"We want Itapúa to be a tourist destination 365 days a year, and the Rally is a unique opportunity to achieve this. We hope to receive one million visitors, consolidating Itapúa as one of the most important destinations in South America, boosting the Paraguayan economy," he said.
For his part, Omar Ávila, General Promoter of the WRC, highlighted the economic impact that the event will have on the entire region. “The rally will not only reach the host cities, but will also benefit neighbouring communities. International visitors will begin to arrive in the country up to 10 days before the event, generating a sustained demand for tourist services,” he said.
He cited the example of Kenya, where the WRC has driven exponential growth in tourism in just a few years. He added that Paraguay is generating great expectations around the world. According to him, there are already confirmed reservations from tourists from Europe, who are eager to live a unique experience.
Quality seal for service providers
To guarantee the quality of the services offered during the WRC, Senatur will award a distinctive seal to those establishments that meet the established standards, said Victor13 Chamorro, Director of Event Tourism at Senatur, at the meeting. In this way, tourists will be able to easily identify the recommended places to enjoy their stay in Itapúa. Likewise, tourist cabins in Paraguay will receive this seal to ensure that they are authorized.
An event that transcends borders
The WRC in Itapúa will be much more than a sporting competition. It will be an opportunity to show the world the natural beauty, the cultural wealth and the warmth of the Paraguayan people. With the combined efforts of all the actors involved, this event will become a historic milestone for the country.
Source: Industry and commerce ministry