Ceará, in addition to beach and sun tourism, is promoting winter and religious tourism.
The state is focused on the foreign market and in the first semester it participated in 12 international fairs. It also has new flights in South America and is negotiating with other foreign destinations.
Check out the interview below:
You know the government of the state of Ceará well, you held other positions within the secretariat and were tourism secretary for Caucaia. What is the strategic planning of your management?
Yrwana Albuquerque: My relationship with Tourism began more than 24 years ago. I am a very proud tourismologist and this directs me to put into practice actions and public policies that deliver results in the short, medium and long term. Studies and listening to communities and the trade are included in the government's tourism planning. My experience in private companies, municipal and state agencies, working in strategic sectors, allow me to have a broad view of what tourism is, one of the most important sectors for the economy of Ceará, which benefits the social, environmental, cultural and financial sustainability of various communities in our destination.
As a tourismologist in a Brazilian state full of nature, how does preservation work within tourism? How do you see tourismphobia?
Yrwana Albuquerque: Tourism and the environment must always go hand in hand. Defending this, because I believe that it is indeed possible to explore a destination while preserving it. Tourism has changed a lot, and modern visitors look for places that are sustainable. In Ceará, we have this as a management flag. In fact, in the next few months we will be launching an invitation to bid for municipalities interested in obtaining the Blue Flag seal. The state government will financially support destinations that wish to obtain international certification, which endorses good environmental practices. Our goal is to make our coastline a preserved and safe place for tourists and the entire community, as well as our hinterland and mountains.
What are the biggest tourist centers today within the State of Ceará? What are the new destinations that you have ready to be tourist cities?
Yrwana Albuquerque: We have a variety of attractions. This is very good, because regardless of the tourist's objective, Ceará is the destination. Although our coastline is highly sought after, due to the infinite beauties of our beaches, we are promoting and attracting tourists to other regions of the state. We highlight the region of Ubajara, Guaramiranga, which at certain times of the year the climate is cold and conquers the public. In addition to our regions where faith is very present, such as the Cariri and Canindé regions. Our mission is to internalize Ceará tourism and make the visitor also reach these destinations within our state.
Is Ceará in some international fairs?
Yrwana Albuquerque: Ceará is one of the destinations that most invests in promoting Brazil, believing that this is one of the ways to attract tourists and show the world all our potential. In this first semester alone, we were at 12 international fairs. In all of them, with its own stand that has pieces produced by artisans from Ceará, such as fine and delicate lace. Benches and chairs in the space are by the master craftsman Espedito Seleiro, made with goat leather using natural pigments and leather dyeing techniques, and the sculptures carved in wood give the charm of regionality. In most of these fairs, we were the only state in the country with its own space, exposing our beauties and answering questions from the participating public.
Are you focused on attracting tourists from other countries?
Yrwana Albuquerque: Yes. Ceará is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world, which makes us very happy. Expanding our source markets is always a goal, which is why we are constantly planning our promotional actions. Our air network is being expanded, which facilitates access to our destination.
Which countries do you visit the most, and which ones have you been introducing and inviting to enjoy Ceará?
Yrwana Albuquerque: France, Portugal and Italy are the most common origins of international tourists in Ceará. But we also have significant numbers of German, Italian, Swiss, Dutch, Spanish, Philippine and UK visitors. We recently resumed a flight to Buenos Aires and won a direct connection to Bogota. These are two countries where we will be holding roadshows in the next few days with the aim of training agents to market our destination to this public.
In terms of infrastructure, investments in hotels and resorts, restaurants, attractions, what's new?
Yrwana Albuquerque: Ceará already has a good hotel network, which offers a variety of styles in accommodation. On the coast, we have accommodations for all audiences, as well as restaurants, resorts and other attractions. Some of the equipment in our state is even among the best in the world.
Recently, Beach Park won the position of best water park in the Americas and second place in the world. This proves the quality that tourists find in our state in terms of attractions.
In the case of new investments, we have resort facilities in highly sought after destinations, such as Praia do Cumbuco, where the Villa Galé chain will build its newest luxury resort; and Praia do Preá, which will receive a high-end hotel from the Thai brand Minor in partnership with the Carnaúba Group, among others.
Talk a little about training travel agents, local people who work directly with tourism.
Yrwana Albuquerque: I always say that it is no use just for tourists to arrive at our destination, attracted by our promotion policy. He needs to be well attended, because that way we can build loyalty. In this way, training is a necessary action in every destination with enormous potential like Ceará. We have a great partnership with the trade and we are in dialogue to promote these capabilities.
What is the perspective of hotel occupancy for the July holidays, the next holidays and New Year's Eve?
Yrwana Albuquerque: The July holidays should attract around 300,000 tourists to Ceará. The occupancy of the hotel chain should exceed 80% and the expected impact on the economy is R$ 1.1 billion. These numbers, when compared to the previous year, show growth. For the upcoming holidays and New Year's Eve, expectations are the best. We recently announced two new international flights and, soon, we will have more news in our network, which will boost the numbers at the end of the year.
What can we expect new at the moment and in the medium term?
Yrwana Albuquerque: We have good expectations for the next half of the year. Above all, in terms of the results of tourist activity. We are executing a very assertive promotion policy, attracting tourists from all over the world. At the same time, we seek dialogue with airlines to expand our connections. We have already conquered Bogotá, by the end of the year we will have around 13 weekly flights to Miami, four to Paris, the flight from Buenos Aires was resumed last month. So these are actions that will result in excellent economic performance for the state. In addition to the issue of new equipment and attracting investments, which are also priorities for the development of Ceará.
By Mary de Aquino.