CAF has been an ally in developing tourism sector in Brazil for over a decade

Fortaleza, Salvador, Porto Alegre, Porto Seguro and Niterói are examples of cities that have strategically invested in the tourism sector in their pursuit of socio-economic development. For at least 10 years, CAF has been working with these and other cities, as well as with state governments, in structuring integrated programs and projects targeting the segment. Tourism is regarded today as one of the main industries capable of driving post-Covid-19 economic recovery.

Throughout its history of financing in Brazil, CAF has allocated USD 1.44 billion to 14 projects directly or indirectly linked to the tourism sector in the nation. “It is clear that well-structured projects that address the issue of tourism, either directly or indirectly, eventually translate into economic growth and, also, into better living conditions for all people, with more jobs, better neighborhoods and leisure areas, for example. This potential places the sector as one of the most valuable drivers of local development today,” says Jaime Holguín, CAF representative in Brazil.

The bank’s operations are mainly characterized by studies to identify tourism potential and development plans. It also engages in the financing of social, economic and environmental infrastructure, training and professional qualification, the promotion of entrepreneurship and the creative and circular economy, in addition to financial and social inclusion, as these are fundamental links for the health of the national tourism chain.

The most relevant CAF-funded operations in Brazil targeting directly or indirectly tourism in Brazil include:

Orla de Porto Alegre: Urban remodeling of part of the Guaíba river waterfront, a project by architect Jaime Lerner, which transformed the city through the physical rehabilitation and management of the Gasómetro building, in addition to the revitalization of the access roads around the historic center, creating a leisure, entertainment and tourism corridor.

City with a Future in Fortaleza: Its main output is the restoration of Beira-mar Avenue, including landfill, fish and handicraft markets, urban and public safety equipment, sustainable lighting, afforestation, built-in electrical wiring, training for local labor for the tourism sector, as well as incentives for the production and marketing of regional products.

Salvador Urban Requalification Program: It includes actions for the recovery, transformation and revitalization of the historic center with the creation of the Museum of Music, set up in a secular house marked by its Portuguese colonial tiles, in addition to the rehabilitation of the church of Bomfim and surroundings, and revamping of the religious road circuit in the region. It also includes urbanization of waterfronts and connectivity works.  

Tourism Value Program in the West Coast of Ceará: It was the first CAF-funded operation with multiple social and economic infrastructure actions targeting tourism in Brazil. Expansion of the CE 085 road of the Caucaia – Trairi section towards Jijoca de Jericoacoara and sanitation works on the densest, most popular beaches. Tasks also included qualification for urban centers and accessibility to beaches on the north coast of the state, as well as the promotion of local commerce, through incentives and training courses for the production of handicrafts and other tourism-related training.

Alagoas Structure Program: Qualification of access to tourist destinations on the north coast of the state, which includes, in addition to the duplication of main roads, basic sanitation in several towns and urbanization of beach areas. The State Tourism Secretariat is considering institutional strengthening actions and the training and qualification of labor for the sector.

Sustainable Oceanic Region of Niterói: Environmental recovery, qualification and maintenance actions in various areas of the city, including the Piratininga lagoon and its park, being one of the successful examples of NBS (nature-based solutions, through the use of filter gardens) and the restoration of the Jacaré River. Other tasks include works to improve the city’s road system, such as the implementation of exclusive lanes (BRT and its stations), tunnel connection between neighborhoods, habilitation of neighborhoods and kilometers of bicycle paths in a tourist area of the city’s beach.