Belo Horizonte receives three nominations at the 2026 Afrotourism Award, including Best Destination and Best Local Experience.
The city stands among the five finalists for Best Destination at the 2026 Afrotourism Award, organized by Guia Negro. The award celebrates initiatives that promote Afro-Brazilian culture and identity-based tourism. Highlights include samba, African-influenced cuisine, congadas, and black heritage walking tours. In 2025, the city hosted the Brazilian Congress of Afrotourism.
Winners will be revealed in April during WTM Latin America in São Paulo, the largest tourism fair in Latin America. Finalists were selected by a specialized jury representing all regions of Brazil.
Belotur’s recognition
The municipal tourism company Belotur was also shortlisted in the “Partner Institution of Afrotourism” category for initiatives promoting the city as a hub of Afro-Brazilian culture, such as Kandandu — a gathering of Afro blocos during Carnival — and support for the Afrotourism Guide of Belo Horizonte and the Afrotourism Congress.
“Being nominated is a major recognition for our city, which has worked strategically to highlight Afro-Brazilian culture as part of Belo Horizonte’s identity,” said Belotur president Eduardo Cruvinel.
According to Cruvinel, the city values black heritage in projects such as Menuuh and Bares com Alma, which honors iconic samba spaces like Bar do Cacá.
Awarded experience: Belos Horizontes Negros
In the Best Local Experience category, the project “Belos Horizontes Negros Walk”, by Sensações Turismo, invites participants to explore Afro history and resilience across five unique routes through the city center.
“Being among the finalists shows we are reconnecting the city with its real history and culture,” said Lucas Xavier, director of Sensações Turismo.
Now in its fourth edition, the Afrotourism Award acknowledges ten categories of excellence across Brazil. Created by Guia Negro, it promotes black-led tourism, culture, and entrepreneurship.
