Alter do Chão commits to responsible tourism and child protection
Actions in Santarém are part of a joint effort by the State Government with the Ministry of Tourism and the City Hall, focusing on sustainability and social security
The district of Alter do Chão and the municipality of Santarém, in Western Pará, received a broad awareness program from July 21 to 25, aimed at promoting ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible tourism. The initiative is the result of a partnership between the Ministry of Tourism (MTur), the State Secretariat of Tourism of Pará (Setur), and the City Hall of Santarém, in preparation for the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30), which will be held in Belém in November this year.
Institutional commitment to child protection
One of the highlights of the program was the workshop "Challenges and Opportunities for Responsible Tourism," held from the 22nd to the 24th, featuring lectures, discussion circles, technical visits to the communities of Arapiuns, Tucumã, and São Marcos, activities aimed at combating the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents, and promoting sustainability.
On the evening of the 23rd, two symbolic commitments reinforced the local dedication to the cause: the municipal secretary of Tourism of Santarém, Emanuel Leite Silva, formalized the adherence to the "Tourism that Protects" movement; and the manager of the Beloalter Hotel Casa do Saulo, Ana Paula Barros Seleski, representing the Pará chef Saulo Jennings, signed the adherence of the enterprises to the Brazil Code of Conduct.
“It is very significant for Santarém to have Alter do Chão as the first tourist destination in Pará to join the 'Tourism that Protects' movement. This reaffirms our commitment to ethical, safe, and welcoming tourism. Alter is globally recognized for its natural beauty, and now it will also be a reference in social responsibility and child protection,” highlighted Emanuel Leite.
Collaboration between public authorities and the private sector
The general coordinator of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism at MTur, Carolina Fávero, emphasized the importance of the participation of companies and the involvement of society. “Tourism undoubtedly generates jobs, income, and regional development, and it becomes even better when it is safe for everyone, especially for our children and youth. We are raising awareness and training those involved so that tourism in Pará aligns with the principles of respect for diversity, human rights, and the protection of children and youth,” she stated.
Representing Setur, Edmê Cunha da Silva highlighted the need to promote tourism that respects the environment and values the traditional cultures of the Amazon. During the program, a technical meeting was held at the Municipal Secretariat of Tourism (Semtur), aligning joint strategies, as well as awareness visits to accommodation facilities, guiding professionals on prevention practices and actions in cases of suspected child sexual exploitation.
Education and prevention as pillars of the initiative
The lectures addressed mechanisms for combating sexual violence in tourism and the actions promoted by Setur in various regions of the state to encourage fairer and more conscious tourism. The workshop reinforces the integration of public policies and community initiatives, promoting a transversal and participatory approach focused on ethics, sustainability, and the appreciation of Pará's sociocultural diversity.
