Minas gains new tourist routes, focusing on experience and affective memory

Sebrae Nacional’s Competitiveness analyst, Germana Magalhães, also explains why the Exploring new tourist destinations helps boost local economies.

“Experiences can directly impact the economy of the regions visited, promoting local development, as they can promote direct interactions with local communities. The purchase of artisanal products, local restaurants, tours and accommodation on rural properties, consumption of products from agro-industries, are examples of activities that can add value to small businesses linked to tourism”, says Germana.

Tourist routes in Minas Gerais

The State is already moving forward with some formatted routes such as the Cerrado Coffee Route and the Bahia-Minas Route. Others that should be enhanced throughout this year include:

• the cheese routes in different regions,
• other coffee routes,
• the Arts Route, which connects BH and Brumadinho to Ouro Preto, valuing historical and contemporary art, and
• the Terra de Gigantes Geopark Route in Uberaba.

The latter is even being analyzed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) to become a global geopark. The announcement of new approved territories is scheduled for March 2024according to the Geological Survey of Brazil (SGB), which cataloged the inventory of Uberaba’s geological heritage.

Change in tourist profile guides new paths

If before the goal was visit the most emblematic tourist attractions and enjoy traditional itineraries, today, the tendency is to explore more affective and personalized paths when traveling. Sebrae Minas consultant, Nathália Milagres, observes that, post-pandemic and with the increase in the price of many products, there has been a change in the tourist profile.

“After the pandemic we had a very large regional tourism, which impacted tourism in Minas Gerais, the state that grew the most in tourist activity. Also we had a moment of very high inflation, and, consequently, fewer resources to invest in leisurebut people still wanted to travel and, therefore, tourists began to choose their experiences better”, he explains.

She notes that frequent use of social networks also directs tourists to places where they can better explore their momentsmake records and connect with himself.

“Tourists go very far in the logic of planning and thinking about a different trip. With the use of social networks and exposure, we realize that tourists seek to understand more what they want and what makes sense to them”, he adds.

Furthermore, the expert’s analysis is that the search for nature and the recovery of childhood memories has become increasingly stronger.

“We don’t shy away much from the search for contact with nature, which has grown, and with people, places and experiences that connect tourists with that moment. He wants to recover the culture and its history of moments he experienced as a child. Experiences like this, which make sense to him, are more valued. It’s the walk, the wood stove…”

For Sebrae Nacional analyst, Germana Magalhães, we began to value not only moments of leisure, but also opportunities for learning and personal transformation. “The enriching experiences and connection with different people and cultures contribute to individual growth. Contact with nature. Travel with families and friends. Experience tourism transcends the conventional approach“, he concludes.