What If Kindness Is the New Luxury? Brazil’s DMC Blumar Leads by Example [ABO]


Fondée il y a plus de 40 ans, Blumar s’est progressivement imposée comme l’un des acteurs majeurs du tourisme haut de gamme au Brésil - Photo : Alexandre Macieira

CroisiEurope


Contemporary luxury is no longer defined solely by visible signs of prestige. It unfolds in the quality of the lived experience, in the precision of support, and in the ability to forge a fair relationship with a destination.

In Rio de Janeiro, this evolution takes on a particular dimension. The city does not simply host visitors: it engages, it connects, it transmits a culture of hospitality deeply rooted in its identity.

In this context, certain players play a decisive role, often behind the scenes. Their mission is to transform the richness of a destination into coherent, seamless, and memorable experiences.

Blumar sits among these benchmark operators, capable of blending international standards with a nuanced understanding of the local terrain.

The encounter with Bruno Teixeira, Business Manager of the receptive agency in Rio de Janeiro, immediately illuminates this reality.

From the first exchanges, a quality stands out with evident clarity: genuine availability, constant attention, and a way of relating that goes beyond the professional frame. Kindness is not presented here as a pose, but as a natural disposition.

The advisory becomes a conversation, the expertise a transmission, and the welcome an experience in itself.

Also read: Brazil: generous hospitality as a lever for transforming luxury tourism



Forty Years of Expertise at the Service of a Destination

Founded more than forty years ago, Blumar has gradually established itself as one of the leading players in Brazil’s luxury tourism.

The company has built itself on an in-depth knowledge of the country, developing an approach that goes beyond mere logistical organization to give travel real meaning.

Initially focused on the destination of Búzios, a seaside resort north of Rio, Blumar expanded its scope to cover the entire Brazilian territory.

Today, the operator covers more than thirty destinations, from the Amazon to the Pantanal, from Fernando de Noronha to Ouro Preto. This national reach is a significant advantage in a country where distances, regional cultures, and operational realities require fine expertise.

This ability to grasp Brazil in its diversity rests on a strong belief: the quality of a stay depends first on the women and men who make it possible. The company relies on experienced local teams, capable of translating the expectations of international travelers while respecting the cultural specificities of each region.


An Integrated Approach to Luxury Travel

In Rio de Janeiro, Blumar collaborates with the market’s most renowned hotels.

The Belmond Copacabana Palace, a true institution inaugurated in 1923, embodies heritage and service excellence. The Fairmont Rio presents a contemporary interpretation of international hospitality, integrated into the Carioca context. The Janeiro Hotel, located in Leblon, offers an immersion in a neighborhood that has become one of the nerve centers of the city’s cultural and gastronomic life.

Also read: Rio de Janeiro: a collection of hotels that embody different cultures of luxury

lodging is, however, only one component of the experience.

Blumar has structured a global offering covering all segments of luxury tourism: individual trips, groups, incentive programs, congress and event management, and onshore services for international cruise lines, including Crystal Cruises.

This organization rests on proprietary digital infrastructure, allowing partner agencies to access availability, itineraries, and visual content directly. In a market where responsiveness and precision are essential, this tool represents a decisive operational lever.


Experience as the Heart of the Value Proposition


Une réalité du luxe contemporain : la valeur ne réside pas uniquement dans l’accès, mais dans la qualité de l’interprétation - Photo : Felipe Amaral

The private experiences segment occupies a central place in the expectations of high-end travelers. Blumar has developed an offering that meets this shift by prioritizing access, personalization, and cultural depth.

In Rio de Janeiro, this approach translates into experiences such as private tours of UNESCO World Heritage sites, privileged access to Christ the Redeemer via trails through Tijuca Forest, helicopter flights over Guanabara Bay, and behind-the-scenes immersions in Carnival.

These proposals fit into a narrative of exploring the territory, where each experience contributes to a deeper understanding of Brazilian culture.

As Bruno Teixeira notes, “our clients benefit from guidance by experienced local guides who know the city inside out, its neighborhoods, rhythms, and codes. It is this knowledge that transforms a good stay into a memorable experience.”

This approach highlights a fundamental truth of contemporary luxury: value lies not only in access, but in the quality of interpretation.


Responsibility and International Recognition


Kindness as the Foundation of Sustainable Hospitality

Rio de Janeiro provides a valuable lens on the evolution of contemporary luxury. The city shows that excellence rests not only on mastering standards, but on the quality of the relationships built between people.

Through players like Blumar, this reality takes a concrete form. Technical expertise, structured offerings, and knowledge of the territory lay solid foundations. But the difference is found elsewhere.

It lies in this willingness to welcome without calculation, to listen without filters, to advise with discernment. Kindness then becomes a standalone competence. It is not decreed; it is embodied.

In a sector seeking meaning and authenticity, this approach opens a clear perspective: hospitality of tomorrow will not be limited to organizing experiences. It will need to be able to create connections, transmit a culture, and leave a lasting imprint.

In Rio, this reality is evident. Blumar offers a structured reading of it. Bruno Teixeira provides a deeply human embodiment.


Laurent Delporte


Laurent Delporte - Delporte Hospitality

Laurent Delporte is the president and founder of DELPORTE Hospitality.

After 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality, notably within the Accor group, he combines visionary thinking, an international hospitality culture, managerial and operational skills, and a network of independent experts to support decision-makers in hospitality for the benefit of their clients, staff, and partners.

As a recognized consultant in the hospitality industry, an executive coach for leaders, and a speaker in the world of hospitality, he also directs the magazine DH-Mag dedicated to trends in hospitality and speaks at major schools and trade shows (HEC, Sup de Luxe, EquipHotel, Maison & Objets…).

Moreover, Laurent Delporte ranked 8th in the international ranking of hospitality influencers in 2024 by the American magazine Global Hospitality and the International Hospitality Institute (IHI) based in the United States. He was also named among the 25 luxury-sector speakers worldwide.

Flight Deals Barometer: Maghreb Leads Summer Flight Searches


Baromètre Bourse des Vols : le Maghreb domine les recherches en plein été - Depositphotos.com

MSC Croisières


The Maghreb confirms its weight in summer searches. Algiers holds the top spot in the ranking, with a 4% year-on-year rise. Marrakech climbs two places to reach the 5th position (+11%), and Tunis remains in the Top 10, at 8th (+14%).

By contrast, overseas destinations continue to be affected by airfares. Saint-Denis de La Réunion falls by 55%, while Pointe-à-Pitre (-67%) and Fort-de-France (-22%) also register steep declines.

“Mid-summer data confirm the Maghreb’s leadership and the rebound of certain European and African routes,” notes Caroline Gachet, Marketing & E-commerce Director at Bourse des Vols.

Du côté de l’Europe et du long-courrier, Porto records a 78% rise and reaches the 6th place. The strongest upsurge, however, goes to Abidjan, up 250%, which climbs to 7th. Bangkok, third in the ranking, drops by 34%. Mauritius completes the Top 10 with a 17% increase.

From provincial airports, searches also confirm the appeal for the Maghreb and Africa, notably Marrakech up in Lyon (+60%), Tunis in Nice (+91%), and Oran in Toulouse (+78%). Porto also shows strong progress, notably from Bordeaux (+204%), Toulouse (+179%) and Lyon (+128%). In Marseille, searches to Annaba (Algeria) jump 291%, while Miami grows by 470%.


The Indian Ocean and Asia Make a Strong Showing for All Saints’ Day

The searches conducted so far for the All Saints’ Day holidays show the rising influence of the Indian Ocean region and Asia.

Saint-Denis remains first, ahead of Algiers, while Marrakech climbs two places to take 3rd place. Mauritius achieves one of the sharpest gains, leaping four places to reach 4th position.

The momentum is even more striking for Antananarivo, which vaults 22 places to reach 7th, and Nosy Be, which adds four places. In Asia, Bangkok stays in the Top 5 despite slipping one place, while Tokyo advances 19 ranks to enter 9th.



“For All Saints’ Day, there is a clear tilt toward the Indian Ocean and a strong comeback for Asia,” highlights Caroline Gachet.

The Caribbean remains present but in a scattered pattern: Pointe-à-Pitre loses three places and ends up 6th, while Fort-de-France gains one place and closes the Top 10.

TOP 10 from France

TOP 10 from Paris and 7 provincial airports

TOP 10 All Saints’ Day Holidays


✈ TOP 10 DESTINATIONS

▶
From France in search volume – July-August 2026
Variation in search volume vs N-1

1
Algiers Houari Boumédiène

▲4 %

2
Saint-Denis La Réunion Roland Garros

▼55 %

3
Bangkok

▼34 %

4
Pointe-à-Pitre Le Raizet

▼67 %

5
Marrakech Menara

▲11 %

6
Porto

▲78 %

7
Abidjan Félix Houphouët-Boigny

▲250 %

8
Tunis Carthage

▲14 %

9
Fort-de-France Lamentin

▼22 %

10
Mauritius – Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam

▲17 %



✈ TOP DESTINATIONS

▶
Variation vs N-1

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