São Paulo (SP) – With the expansion of the airline network, announcing an international route connecting Recife to Paraguay during the high season and a new convention center with capacity for up to 4 thousand people, located in the center of the capital of Pernambuco, growth projections in the tourism in Pernambuco are positive. During its participation in WTM Latin America, the Government of Pernambuco highlighted the investments and bets it is making to boost tourism in the state.
For the first time in history, Pernambuco will have flights to all Brazilian capitals. During the high season, Recife International Airport will have flights to Boa Vista (RR), Palmas (TO), Campo Grande (MS) and Rio Branco (MS), the only capitals that do not have a route with Pernambuco today. “Having these connections consolidates Pernambuco as the major hub in the Northeast region”, emphasizes Eduardo Loyo, president of Empetur. It is worth remembering that a new terminal was recently opened at Recife airport, increasing passenger handling capacity by 40%.
Another new feature announced at WTM is the new route operated by Azul, during the high season, connecting Recife to Assunção, in Paraguay. Flights will begin in December this year.
Still on the air network, Caruaru airport will receive Azul flights, with ATR aircraft, from June onwards. During the São João period, some of these aircraft will be set up as “Voo do Forró”, making an allusion to the Trem do Forró, which is already a June tradition in the state, connecting Caruaru to Recife and other cities in the state. In addition, Serra Talhada and Fernando de Noronha airports will also receive investments in infrastructure to improve the passenger experience. The runway at Fernando de Noronha airport is undergoing renovations and is expected to be completed in July, allowing the operation of jet planes and, consequently, the number of tourists on the island should increase.
New convention center
Recife will gain a convention center, the Recife Expo Center, with capacity for up to 4 thousand people in the first stage. Located at Novotel Recife Marina, the space is expected to open this semester. The development is part of the Porto Novo Recife Project and has an integrated marina. “The space is already opening with closed fairs, captured during WTM”, assured Loyo.
“After spending some time without space to host events and large conferences, we are returning to the MICE sector. And we are already feeling the difference and managing to capture events that were already in view since last year. The impact on the city will be great, with a big movement in the hotel and tourism sector, mainly with the waterfront redevelopment works that are also being carried out”, explained Gabriela Dias, executive director of the Recife Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Regenerative tourism and data analysis in the sights of Porto de Galinhas
Ipojuca, the municipality where Porto de Galinhas beach, one of the most famous in Pernambuco, is located, will launch the Tourism Observatory. The tool will assist in destination management, as well as collecting quantitative data on visitors that will contribute to better allocation of resources for projects that boost tourism. “It will support all this growth that the destination has experienced”, said André Reis, Secretary of Tourism of Ipojuca.
Furthermore, the Pernambuco Tourism Department and Ipojuca City Hall are supporting the BioFábrica de Corais, a coral reef restoration project in Porto de Galinhas, which promotes regenerative tourism in the destination. According to Reis, tours will be carried out with agents and the press to publicize the initiative. Check out the article on regenerative tourismpublished in this month’s print edition, in which the Brasilturis Newspaper spoke with Rudã Fernandes, founder of BioFábrica.
The Porto de Galinhas na Estrada roadshow, which remains active until October, underwent recycling. Eduardo Tiburtius, president of the Porto de Galinhas Hotel Association, explained that this process is carried out every two years. And, in this edition, the municipalities of Cidade do Leste and Assunção, in Paraguay, will be mandatory stops. “Paraguay is a destination that has attracted our attention in sales for a long time and the new route will make it even easier for tourists to access Porto de Galinhas beach. Previously, Paraguayans came to their destination through Foz and now they will have a direct connection”, he informed.
“With the new flight, the arrival of Paraguayan visitors should increase during the high season. And this reinforces the importance of having international connections in Recife”, highlighted Tiburtius. It is worth noting that the destination annually holds the Visit Pernambuco Travel Show and the I’m Porto de Galinhasevents that also aim to attract more visitors and promote the destination.
