Guapi-Macacu Tourist Routes Project
- Fabiana Conti
- May 20, 2024
- 2 min read
The Guapi-Macacu Tourist Routes Project, which had the support of the Boticário Foundation and financing from TRÊ Investimento, through the Viva Água Movement, identified three bioregions around Guanabara Bay with great potential for the development of businesses with a socio-environmental impact. The initiative was based on pillars such as water security, adaptation to climate change, nature conservation and sustainable entrepreneurship.
Ação Socioambiental, which operates in the Guapi-Macacu bioregion, was the organization chosen to implement a community-based tourism model, promoting a sustainable business model aligned with the demands of the region.
The bioregions stood out for their scenic beauty, biodiversity and conservation units, trails and ecotourism activities. In addition, cultural, historical and gastronomic attractions completed the scenario, reinforcing the tourism potential. One of the main challenges of the project was to organize local stakeholders, develop integrated itineraries and increase the economic participation of the community, including products and services that, at the time, were not yet part of the tourism production chain.
Through the Community-Based Tourism Engagement Trail (CBT), the project worked to ensure that tourism in the region would have a positive impact on the environment and be recognized by residents and visitors as a differentiator, encouraging more local entrepreneurs to join.
Project Objectives
The main objective of the Guapi-Macacu Tourist Routes Project was to promote the sustainable socioeconomic development of the region, in line with the criteria of the Viva Água Baía de Guanabara Movement (MVAG).
Based on the profile of the visiting public and local activities, the project developed a diversified itinerary that incorporated:
Local culture and history;
Appreciation of regional products and producers;
Strengthening of conservation units;
Integration of the lodging system;
Regional gastronomy;
Ecotourism and rural tourism;
Experiential tourism.
In addition, the project used good sustainable environmental practices as a counterpart, guiding the growth of the region towards a more responsible and balanced model.
Project Results
The impact of the project was significant, and the main results achieved were:
39 local businesses interviewed and engaged;
46 tourists participated in the diagnosis;
1 community member directly supported the process;
86 direct beneficiaries were impacted.
The Guapi-Macacu Tourist Routes Project has established itself as a transformative initiative that not only fostered tourism, but also promoted the appreciation of the region's natural and cultural heritage, generating sustainable socioeconomic benefits for the community.
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