CAF and Embratur seal a partnership to increase Afrotourism

Stimulate Afrotourism in Brazil, through the promotion of its characteristics in the global market. This is with this main objective that the director of CAF's Tourism area, Oscar Rueda García, and the president of Embratur Marcelo Freixo, signed a technical cooperation agreement worth US$150,000 today in Madrid. The concept of Afrotourism values ​​the protagonism of the Afro-Brazilian entrepreneur and refers to the incorporation of tourist experiences that involve the celebration of the culture, history and experiences of the Afro-descendant population.

The signed agreement provides for the creation of an Afrotourism Map in Brazil, the elaboration of a document to be worked on with the tourism segment with good practices, with an emphasis on afrotourism and ethnic tourism. Furthermore, training will be carried out on the subject with entrepreneurs and leaders from the public sectors and a Strategic Plan for the International Promotion of Afrotourism will be developed.

“Brazil is expected to have 8% of GDP covered by the tourism sector in 2024, with tourism revenue projections that exceed the pre-pandemic level. The expansion of the offer of cultural tourism through Afrotourism can be a valuable attraction for tourists from all over the world, as there is a growing trend of interest in tourism projects that promote African cultural heritage. This is a new market, which is beginning to establish itself in the global tourism network, with ample opportunities for Brazil to explore”, stated Oscar Rueda.

“Afrotourism is a central axis of our strategy to promote new experiences. It is a segment compatible with what the 21st century demands of us – to be anti-racist, valuing and respecting the culture of the Afro-Brazilian population. Promoting afrotourism contributes to the process of recovering history and valuing culture, but it is also a big business, which generates jobs and income, and empowers black entrepreneurs”, says Marcelo Freixo, president of Embratur.

For Freixo, the technical cooperation agreement will contribute to Embratur's efforts to increase the arrival of foreign tourists interested in experiencing afrotourism in Brazil. “We are talking about visiting reference sites for black events, but also experiences of quilombos, terreiros, samba schools, afro blocks, music and arts festivals. We talk about the memories of our country, but also about what we are building in the present and what we project for the future”, he added.