The 21st edition of the International Tourism Fair of Paraguay (FITPAR) runs from 16 tot 18 October 2026 in Asunción, presenting a wide range of destinations for discovering new cultures, flavours, and experiences. The fair will take place daily from 11:00 to 19:00 at the Mariscal Convention Centre in Asunción. The event is supported by Paraguay’s National Secretariat of Tourism (Senatur) and Itaipú Binacional, with free entry.
“It is the showcase of tourism in Paraguay,” stated Rossana Fustagno, the event’s director. Organisers anticipate more than 10,000 visitors this year, with significant interest in attractive travel packages and prizes offered by Taiwan, the official presenting country for the event.
A global showcase of culture and opportunity
Over three days, visitors will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the cultures and tastes of various destinations. The event features participation from 11 countries, in addition to Paraguay, and more than 600 brands will be represented. Last year, FITPAR attracted nearly 8,000 attendees, and the expectation this year is to surpass the 10,000 mark.
“There will be a lot of entertainment, fun, and very good gastronomy,” said Fustagno, who is also the president of the Paraguayan Association of Travel Agencies and Tourism Companies (Asatur). The schedule includes business meetings and live cultural shows.
Furthermore, cooking courses will be available, and the event also has a strong focus on students and professionals within the tourism sector. FITPAR will also provide benefits for purchasing holiday packages, such as extended instalment financing, special discounts, and double points with selected credit cards.
FITPAR 2026: Taiwan takes centre stage
This year, two countries are highlighted at FITPAR. The Dominican Republic is the guest of honour, showcasing Central American attractions. Meanwhile, the Republic of China (Taiwan) is the official presenter of the event.
This marks Taiwan’s second time participating in the fair, and they are bringing significant attractions. “We have created many games and prizes for the public, with tourism proposals, to attract more visitors,” said Andrés Wen-Tien Kan, Taiwan’s Deputy Counsellor. The Taiwanese stand will feature a caricaturist who will write people’s names in Mandarin Chinese. Additionally, four talks are planned: two concerning scholarships available to Paraguayans, and two on sustainable tourism and what such a trip to Taiwan would entail.
“The most important prize is an economy class ticket to travel to Taiwan, with five days of accommodation, transport, and the service of a tour guide”, the Deputy Counsellor of Taiwan, said.
In addition to the main prize, visitors can also win a Chen brand bicycle, a well-known brand from the island, as well as a computer, a tablet, and a t-shirt. The terms and conditions for these prizes will be shared through the Taiwanese Embassy on Instagram.
“Create Your Destination” competition
A national competition, titled “Crea Tu Destino” (Create Your Destination), aims to involve young people in exploring the tourism potential of Paraguay, starting from their own communities. “We are working with the Ministry of Education and Sciences on a competition for second-year students of the Technical Baccalaureate in Tourism, with the support of Itaipú,” Fustagno commented.
“The winner of the competition will take their entire class on a tour of the Itaipú Binacional complex to learn about the entity’s tourism development,” the FITPAR director explained. Furthermore, the fair is supporting the Meeting of Tourism Students, a Latin American forum for professionals and students in the field, which will be held on 17 October, as part of FITPAR 2026.
A vital ecosystem for Paraguay
Regarding tourism in Paraguay, Fustagno explained that the industry is “100% based on services,” which means “it is based on people.” She elaborated on the need for skilled professionals to help establish the country’s reputation. “We need very good professionals to continue working on the national goal of positioning Paraguay as a key destination for event tourism,” she said.
“Tourism is transversal to a whole (national) ecosystem. When one leaves their house, they need a provider from the tourism chain, whether it is transport, restaurants, accommodation, or roads. Everything has to do with tourism,” Fustagno concluded, highlighting the significant challenge and opportunity the sector represents.
