EETEPA Santarém launches project "Visitor's Friend" during the Sairé Festival
The project's goal is to welcome, guide, and inform tourists, promoting a richer, safer, and more organized experience, as well as valuing the natural, cultural, and gastronomic attractions of the region
The State Technical School of Pará (EETEPA) Francisco Coimbra Lobato launched, last Saturday (13), the project "Visitor's Friend", an initiative developed by students of the technical course in Tourism Guide, under the coordination of Professor Pablo Viana.
The launch took place during the opening of the Sairé Festival in Alter do Chão and was attended by 27 students from the 2nd year of Proeja and 1st year of the Subsequent modality. The students accompanied the traditional search for the masts and, starting from the 18th, will begin to work at Casa Santarém, a space where the school set up a reception and service booth for visitors.
The project's goal is to welcome, guide, and inform tourists, promoting a richer, safer, and more organized experience, as well as valuing the natural, cultural, and gastronomic attractions of the region.
"The project allows our students to experience, in practice, the professional role of a tourism guide. In addition to contributing to technical training, we are providing a service to the community, valuing the natural, cultural, and gastronomic heritage of the region. It is a mutual learning experience between students and visitors," highlighted Professor Pablo Viana.
The experience was also celebrated by the students. Student Rionaldo Jesus emphasized the cultural exchange provided by the activity. "It was very rewarding to be able to talk to tourists from different places. We learn a lot when we share information about our city and see their interest in local culture," he said.
Student Niéde Fonseca highlighted the impact of the project on her professional training. "This experience strengthens our preparation for the job market. Being face to face with visitors, guiding and clarifying doubts, is a real exercise of what we will encounter in the profession," she evaluated.
The Secretary of Science, Technology, and Professional and Technological Education (Sectet), Victor Dias, praised the initiative. "Projects like 'Visitor's Friend' demonstrate our technical schools' commitment to the civic and professional training of students. While preparing young people for the job market, they also directly contribute to strengthening tourism and valuing the culture of Santarém and the entire region," he stated.
The "Visitor's Friend" aims to establish itself as a permanent action of EETEPA Santarém during events and periods of higher tourist flow in the municipality, reinforcing the school's role in training qualified professionals and developing regional tourism.
Sairé Festival
Held annually in Alter do Chão, a district of Santarém, the Sairé Festival is one of the most traditional cultural manifestations of the Amazon. The event brings together religious, folkloric, and popular elements, attracting thousands of tourists to the region. The official program will take place from September 18 to 22, with rituals of faith, cultural presentations, and the traditional competition of the Tucuxi and Pink dolphins.
Text: Carla Couto – Ascom Sectet
