Promoted by the Terminal, the initiative provided courses and mentoring for local entrepreneurs from six communities in the Paranaguá Bay region
Last Tuesday, March 26, representatives of the tourism sector in Paranaguá and the state of Paraná took part in a technical visit to the communities of Ponta de Ubá, Ilha do Amparo and Piaçaguera served by the Community-Based Tourism project, promoted and financed by the company that manages the Paranaguá Container Terminal, TCP, and run by the Micro and Small Business Support Service in Paraná, Sebrae/PR.
“TCP financed the Community-Based Tourism project because it believes that supporting sustainable entrepreneurship in the communities that live around Paranaguá Bay is an important initiative to guarantee the preservation of the environment, as well as to enhance local culture. Generating income for the population strengthens the community’s autonomy and self-esteem as managers of their own business,” explains Rafael Stein, TCP’s institutional, legal and regulatory manager.
The visit was attended by representatives of the State Department of Tourism (Setu), the Paranaguá Municipal Department of Culture and Tourism (Secultur), the NGO Coalition for Impact, the environmental consultancy firm hired by TCP, Acquaplan, the Paranaguá and Antonina Port Administration (APPA), among others. As well as getting to know the businesses run by the local community, which range from accommodation and restaurants to services such as those offered by boatmen and tourist guides, the visitors were able to exchange experiences with the entrepreneurs, gaining a better understanding of the benefits generated by the project and the challenges to be overcome.
Weliton Perdomo, manager of Sebrae/PR’s Eastern Region, pointed out that “the purpose of the project and the actions is to enhance what is being done well, to contribute techniques and present good practices that can professionalize service. One of the ways to do this is by uniting public and private institutions, in all spheres, alongside agencies and associations, building partnerships and focusing on environmental education, preservation and accessibility.”
At the first stop, in Ponta do Ubá, where around 100 people live, entrepreneur Glory do Nascimento Alexandre, 73, welcomed visitors with a breakfast prepared with local ingredients, such as shrimp pastry and plantain cakes. She said that she has received large groups of visitors such as scouts and even foreign tourists. “Our wish is to continue receiving these visitors. I really enjoy receiving, talking and laughing with the people who come to meet us”
In addition to Ponta de Ubá, Ilha do Amparo and Piaçaguera, where the most recent technical visits took place, the communities of Eufrasina, São Miguel and Ilha dos Valadares are also part of the project. The Caiçara Tourism Project is part of TCP’s Environmental Education Program for Communities, which meets the condition of Operating License No. 1356/2016 – 1stRet. 1stRenewal by IBAMA.
