In commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, the Ministry of Tourism held the seminar "Afrotourism and the Fight against Racial Discrimination." Embratur was present at the event, which brought together experts, business leaders, and industry representatives to discuss the impact of Afrotourism on economic development and cultural appreciation.
The initiative demonstrated the need for more inclusive and diverse tourism, consolidating Afrotourism as a fundamental public policy to strengthen the identity of the Black population in Brazil. Tania Neres, Coordinator of Diversity, Afrotourism, and Indigenous Peoples at Embratur, emphasized that this is a historic milestone for national tourism.
"It's essential that we work on representation, that we talk about Afrotourism in places and institutions, and that we make it very clear that Afrotourism is of great importance to Black people: more than a cultural experience, it's an anti-racist act. We need to ensure that Black people are not only service providers, but also business owners, tourism consumers, and well-served in airports, hotels, and other spaces," she stated.
Black routes
During the seminar, a survey conducted by UNESCO consultant and Afrotourism specialist Thaís Rosa Pinheiro on Best Practices in Afrotourism at the National Level was presented to the Ministry of Tourism. This survey includes the Rutas Negras Program, an initiative that promotes training for businesses led by Black communities, terreiros, and Black women. It also highlights the role of tourism as a tool for social transformation.
Black Routes includes itineraries that highlight the cultural identity of quilombola communities, terreiros, groups of African origin, and other spaces relevant to the history of Black people in Brazil. It also aims to attract tourists while educating the public about the country's cultural richness.
"Within the Black Routes working group, led by the Ministry of Racial Equality, with the Ministry of Tourism and other institutions such as Embratur, we will promote Afrotourism and, consequently, anti-racism," explains Tania Neres.
Panel
Accompanied by UNESCO consultant Thaís Rosa Pinheiro and Solange Barbosa, national tourism advisor and representative of the Muda Collective, Embratur's Afrotourism coordinator, Tania Neres, participated in the panel "Exchanging Experiences on Afrotourism in Brazil."
He emphasized the importance of education to broaden understanding of religious diversity within the sector. “We have a serious problem in Brazil with religiosity, but we know this reflects racism. We need to ensure that all religions are respected and that this is carried into schools,” he said.
The seminar also addressed the importance of academia in strengthening Afrotourism. According to Tânia Neres, academic knowledge has been fundamental in providing theoretical and strategic support to tourism. “The recognition of our work by academia shows that we are on the right path,” she shared.
The coordinator also mentioned the Edital Rota das Monografias, promoted by Embratur, which aims to reward the best monographs presented and approved in undergraduate courses in the area of tourism in Brazil.
Thaís Rosa Pinheiro emphasized the importance of qualifying professionals working in the sector. “Tourism is an economic activity, and these professionals need to be qualified to ensure that Afrotourism doesn't become exoticized. They play a fundamental role in educating tourists to respect Black territories and their history,” she explained.
Solange Barbosa pointed out that it's essential for tourists to understand that we're not selling exoticism, but rather Afrotourism. "And Afrotourism is done by Black people, with Black narratives, who need to be known and respected," she emphasized.
The panel also addressed the struggle to implement public policies aimed at strengthening Afro-Brazilian tourism. “When we talk about Afro-tourism, we're talking about a process of recognition and development for the Black population, which represents 56% of Brazil. We need to ensure that these initiatives are structured and supported by the government,” concluded Solange Barbosa.
Source: Embratur.