Bárbara Braga, Secretary of Tourism of Alagoas, structures the state's tourism

The event, one of the largest tourism fairs in Latin America, brought important debates about the future of tourism on the continent, with a focus on sustainability, promotion of destinations and improvements in infrastructure.

Significant growth in tourism infrastructure in Alagoas

During the event, the Secretary of Tourism of Alagoas, Bárbara Braga, highlighted the exponential growth of the tourism infrastructure in the state. In 2024, Alagoas reached the mark of 52 thousand beds, a significant increase compared to the 19 thousand beds available in 2016. This growth is attributed to the private sector's confidence in the legal and fiscal stability of the state.

“We currently have 16 hotels under construction, in addition to two new ones that opened earlier this year,” revealed Bárbara. The tourism industry’s confidence in the government of Alagoas has driven continued investment in the expansion of the hotel sector and other essential infrastructure.

Training as the basis for tourism development

One of Alagoas' main initiatives to strengthen its tourism industry was the creation of the Tourism School, a program that has already trained more than 4,500 Alagoan residents in various areas. The initiative aims not only to improve the quality of services offered to tourists, but also to increase the employability of the local population.

"We are training our population in around 40 cities, with courses focused on excellence in tourist service, menu design, cocktails and tour guides, among others," explained Bárbara. She also highlighted the importance of language training, such as English and Spanish, to better serve international visitors.

Interiorization and diversification of tourism in Alagoas

Another strong point of Bárbara Braga's administration is the expansion of tourism in the interior of the state, which aims to promote regions beyond the traditional beaches of Alagoas. The state of Alagoas has seven tourist regions, six of which are already formalized in governance bodies. This allows the municipalities themselves to direct investments more efficiently and in accordance with their local needs.

Among the regions promoted, the Coral Coast, known for destinations such as Maragogi and São Miguel dos Milagres, and the São Francisco Canyon region, with a focus on ecotourism, stand out. The Caatinga region also stands out, with adventure sports, while the Quilombos area, home to the largest quilombo in Latin America, promotes Afrotourism and the appreciation of quilombola culture.

International promotion and growth in tourist flow

The promotion of Alagoas abroad has also been generating positive results. In 2024, the state recorded a 14% growth in passenger flow at Zumbi dos Palmares International Airport, in addition to a 44% increase in the arrival of foreign tourists. Participation in Fit Latin America reinforces the international visibility of Alagoas as a prominent tourist destination, not only in Brazil, but throughout Latin America.

Expansion of the Air Network Boosts Tourism in Alagoas

Improving the air network has been one of Alagoas’ main focuses in promoting its tourism destination. Despite the need for improvements to compete with other states in the Northeast, the state is already celebrating important achievements. Alagoas currently has three weekly flights connecting Maceió to Lisbon and one weekly flight connecting the capital to Buenos Aires. During the 2024-2025 high season, a second flight between Buenos Aires and Maceió will be added. In addition, the state celebrated the return of chartered flights from Uruguay after 28 years, with three operations in 2024 and another direct flight to Maceió scheduled for Easter in 2025.

Report and photo: Mary de Aquino.