One of the biggest tourism events in Brazil started this Wednesday (5) and continues with an intense program until Friday (7). The opening of the 19th Cataratas Festival took place at Recanto Cataratas Thermas Resort & Convention and brought together around a thousand people.
Paulo Angeli, the festival's creator and coordinator, welcomed everyone and highlighted the city's natural beauty. "We have no words to describe our 'backyard'. We want you to do business, interact, socialize, but, above all, our greatest intention is to delight you with what we see every day," he said.
Throughout the event, the tone of optimism prevailed. Celso Sabino, Minister of Tourism, recalled that Brazil was elected by Forbes Magazine as the best country for ecotourism and highlighted two laws approved by the Senate (the Embratur Law and the General Tourism Law), which should bring several advantages to those who make a living from tourism.
Furthermore, the Secretary of Tourism of Paraná, Márcio Nunes, brought more good news: “This year, we will reach 10 thousand jobs generated in the tourism chain of Paraná”. He also mentioned the programs Paraná Mais Eventos, Paraná Turismo Mais Infraestrutura and Paraná Mais Viagem, important initiatives to increase tourism activity in the state.
Enio Verri, Brazilian general director of Itaipu Binacional, pointed out that tourism is one of the management's priorities and that the sector has a "huge horizon", considering the increase in income and the decrease in unemployment. He also revealed that Lake Itaipu will soon be transformed into a space for tourism exploration.
Agreement and Public Utility Title
During the opening, the Idestur Institute received the title of Public Utility, granted by the Legislative Assembly of Paraná (ALEP). Idestur aims to develop strategic projects in tourism, technology, environment, sports, culture and innovation.
The event was marked by the signing of a cooperation agreement between Viaje Paraná and the Itaipu Technological Park (PTI). The first two projects will be a study for the implementation of Tax Free in the state and another involving the nautical sector.
Example for neighboring countries
Paraguayan authorities praised Brazil's tourism vocation. César Landy Torres, governor of Alto Paraná, said that the country has a lot to learn from Brazil and acknowledged that investments in tourism can impact the development and job creation of an entire nation.
Paraguay’s Minister of Tourism, Angie Melillo, said she is working to show that Mercosur is important for the development of countries. Melillo emphasizes the need to work together, citing Itaipu as an example. “When people come together, they can build anything.”
The head table was also attended by the following authorities: Chico Brasileiro, mayor of Foz do Iguaçu; Ary Bitencourt, vice-president of Fecomércio; José María Arrúa, minister of Tourism of Misiones; Professor Irineu Colombo, director-superintendent of the Itaipu Technological Park (PTI); and Augusto Stein, Western Regional Manager of Sebrae Paraná.
