São Paulo, Jul 22 (EFE).— From idyllic beaches and safaris in the world’s largest wetland to cultural immersions in Indigenous territories, Brazil is offering a wide array of transformative experiences—now gathered in a new platform called Feel Brasil, aimed at helping tourists, particularly foreigners, discover the country in a deeper, more meaningful way.
Focusing on sustainability and human connection, the project, launched earlier this year, brings together 101 experiences across Brazil’s five regions on a single website. All were selected by the Brazilian Agency for International Tourism Promotion (Embratur) and the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae).
‘Feel Brasil’ as a global tourism strategy
The Feel Brasil the initiative serves as both “a showcase of national tourism” and “a solid strategy to position Brazil on the international stage,” said Marcelo Freixo, president of Embratur, in an interview with EFE.
“By connecting global tourists with authentic and sustainable experiences, we’re directly responding to the growing demand for experiential tourism,” he said. “The benefits include increased tourist spending, decentralization of tourist flows, and the strengthening of local economies.”
Northeast Brazil: coral reefs, Afro culture, and sunset picnics
Designed to appeal to a wide range of travelers, the platform features a concentration of offerings in Brazil’s northeast, with 39 activities that include traditional cooking classes, tours through colonial historic centers, and visits to stunning beaches.
In Pernambuco, visitors can witness coral reef restoration in Porto de Galinhas or go diving in the protected waters around Fernando de Noronha.
In Salvador, capital of Bahia, tourists can walk the Orixás Trail or take the Black Bahia Tour to explore Afro-Brazilian culture.
Lençóis Maranhenses in Maranhão stands out with experiences like sunset picnics amid white sand dunes and lagoons, or watching bioluminescent plankton light up the water.
Immersive experiences in the Amazon region
The northern region offers 12 experiences centered on the Amazon rainforest, ancestral knowledge, and sustainable practices.
In Manaus, travelers can choose an Indigenous immersion along the Rio Negro or sample Amazonian cuisine through the Até o Tucupi Tour.
In Alter do Chão (Pará)—nicknamed the Amazonian Caribbean—visitors can enjoy jungle treks in the Jamaracá community and participate in a Piracaia, a traditional riverbank gathering with grilled fish and music.
Other highlights include the Chocolate Route on the Way of the Islands in Belém and engagement with the Paiter Suruí people in Cacoal (Rondônia).
Small businesses lead Brazil’s tourism transformation
Behind most of these experiences are local citizens running small businesses eager to share their culture.
This is a key element that Feel Brasil aims to highlight, positioning itself as a tool for both social and economic transformation in local communities.
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70% of the 101 experiences are offered by micro and small enterprises
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59% of these businesses are led by women
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Over 80% prioritize inclusion, diversity, and sustainability
“The project boosts the leadership of small and micro entrepreneurs, enhances local territories, and drives regional development through job and income creation,” said Freixo.
By promoting Brazil in this way, he added,
“we increase our international competitiveness and create a virtuous circle that uplifts what is most precious to us: our people, our cultures, and our stories.”
A global model built with small businesses
Décio Lima, president of Sebrae, emphasized that the initiative is globally innovative for opening up the tourism market to small-scale entrepreneurs.
“Today, we are recognized as an international destination (…) and this success has been built hand in hand with small businesses, which make up nearly 97% of the companies operating in the tourism sector,” Lima concluded. EFE
This content was produced with the support of Embratur.