Pará has six tourism initiatives as finalists for the Braztoa Sustainability Award 2025
The award ceremony for the finalists will take place on December 8, in Belém
Six tourism initiatives from Pará are among the 30 finalists for the Braztoa Sustainability Award 2025. The initiatives are competing in the categories of local communities and experience/product. Pará ranks second in the list with the most registered initiatives, highlighting the strength of the Amazon region in sustainable tourism. The finalists will be announced on December 8, during the award ceremony in Belém.
The initiatives in the final phase are "Turiarte-weaving laces and connecting knowledge in the Amazon," through community-based tourism and handicrafts; "Circuit of Marajoara Amazon," from Fazenda São Jerônimo; "Caminhos da Pripioca Routes," from the Women's Movement of the Islands of Belém; "Alter Tapajós Route," from Muriki Cicloturismo; "Amazon Atlantic Route" and "Amazon Turtles Tourist Route," from Xingu Adventure.
In total, 109 initiatives were registered, and only 30 were selected for the final phase due to their relevance, concrete contribution, and commitment to delivering responsible and transformative tourism that generates positive impacts, values communities, and preserves natural resources, in addition to creating real value for the sector.
The head of the tourism department, Secretary Eduardo Costa, evaluates that the significant number that started with registrations and is now reflected in the finalists endorses the engagement of the tourism sector in Pará in sustainable, innovative practices that have a positive impact on communities. “We are committed to showcasing our diversity of tourism experiences, with consolidated products that unite natural beauty, culture, and gastronomy. It is a unique opportunity to position our State as an example of innovation and leadership in sustainability in the tourism sector,” he points out.
Plural Pará: Amazon Turtles Tourist Route to cycling tourism
The Alter Tapajós route, promoted by Muriki Cicloturismo, brings together the best of the tourism experiences in Alter do Chão and Belterra. “This route, which has existed for five years, is more than a trip; it is an invitation to experience the Amazon authentically and transformatively. A true immersion in what the region has of most special: bike tours through unique landscapes, hiking trails through the forest, gastronomic experiences with renowned chefs, music, dance, culture, and history,” says entrepreneur Paulo Mil Homens.
The package includes accommodation, transfers, special lunches and dinners, as well as experiences in traditional communities, where visitors have direct contact with local customs and the richness of the Amazon. “It is a journey that connects adventure, culture, and sustainability in every detail. It is a great joy for us at Muriki Cicloturismo to be nationally recognized as a sustainable tourism initiative in the North region, making a difference in Western Pará. This recognition is a very important milestone in our journey,” Paulo points out.
Muriki Cicloturismo has already accumulated some recognitions, such as the "Promoting Bicycle Mobility" award in the Entrepreneurship category, promoted by Transporte Ativo in 2020. In 2024, they were awarded the Bicycle Brazil seal from the Ministry of Cities.
The Amazon Turtles Tourist Route, which takes place in the Vitória de Souzel Sustainable Development Reserve and the Tabuleiro do Embaubal Wildlife Refuge in Senador José Porfírio, was the initiative registered by Xingu Adventure. “The project was born in 2023 and integrates the tourism experience with the work of turtle conservation, directly involving the riverside communities in the region. Visitors participate in educational activities, accompany the handling and release of turtles, learn about local cuisine, and strengthen the community economy. It is an initiative that connects biodiversity protection with income generation and cultural appreciation,” explains entrepreneur Wyllyan Farias.
For him, being among the finalist initiatives is a very special recognition that reinforces that the work can inspire other Amazon destinations seeking to develop tourism responsibly. “This shows that the work we do at Xingu Adventure, uniting tourism, environmental conservation, and the protagonism of local communities, is on the right track. It is an achievement that fills us with pride and motivates us to continue promoting tourism that transforms lives and preserves the Amazon,” Farias shares. The company also has awards in its showcase, such as the 2023 Socio-Environmental Impact Business Award.
The Amazon Atlantic Route is among the finalists for the Braztoa Award for the second time. “This represents a validation of our project, meaning we are on the right path for the development of rural tourism in the Amazon, especially in the Atlantic Amazon, where rural entrepreneurship is fostered,” says Hortência Osaqui, founder and coordinator of the route.
The Route departs from Belém and goes to Augusto Corrêa, providing an immersive experience in the nature, culture, and history of the region, with trails in the forest, navigation through rivers, local production experiences, and the discovery of rich biodiversity and Amazonian traditions.
Award is a reference in tourism
In this edition, one of the highlights is the creation of the "Local Communities" category, which brings together five community-based tourism initiatives, indigenous peoples, quilombos, indigenous villages, riverside communities, and caiçaras. The initiatives come from 13 states, covering all five macro-regions of Brazil, reinforcing the territorial and cultural representativeness of the Award. The highlight goes to São Paulo, with eight finalists, followed by Pará, with six initiatives.
Another highlight is the alignment with the UN 2030 Agenda: all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are covered. Among them, the SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 13 – Climate Action, SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production stand out. Others, such as SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities and SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being, also appear with relevance, showing sustainable tourism as an agent of transformation on different fronts.
For the executive president of Braztoa, the Braztoa Sustainability Award has established itself as a reference by recognizing and stimulating practices that promote sustainable tourism and positive impact on communities and destinations. “With each edition, we see how diverse, creative, and committed Brazilian tourism is to generating transformation. It is very significant to highlight initiatives that can be replicated in different contexts, multiplying good practices and strengthening the sector as a whole. More than awarding, our mission is to inspire solutions that value destinations, transform people's lives, and leave a positive legacy for the future,” says Marina.
Braztoa
Braztoa (Brazilian Association of Tourism Operators) brings together tourism operators and partners – both business and institutional. In 2024, the operators associated with Braztoa generated R$ 22.09 billion in revenue and transported 9.81 million passengers throughout the year. Braztoa promotes actions and partnerships to support marketing and enhance the business activities of its members, as well as institutional actions, representing and defending the interests of its members and the sector before the Legislative and Executive Powers, government authorities, other sector entities, the press, and the market, in addition to being committed to fostering the sector, supporting the sustainable development of the tourism market.
