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Bahia, with almost 80 per cent of its population of African descent, is the first Brazilian state to structure the ethnic tourism segment.
The intention, according to Billy Arquimimo, Bahiatursa’s Ethnic Tourism coordinator, is to make the state more attractive to tourists of African descent from the United States, who are interested in reconnecting with their roots in Africa.
“African-Americans currently account for around 12 per cent of the United States’ GDP, although they represent approximately 13 per cent of the country’s population. There are therefore favourable conditions for the development of ethnic tourism, especially among African-Americans who want to find their identity,” adds Arminindo.
Bahia entra na rota do turismo étnico
The importance of the project for Bahia has already been noted due to the great interest of African Americans, the coordinator emphasises. In addition to candomblé and capoeira as attractions, many come to Bahia every year to honour specific events such as the Feast of Our Lady of the Good Death in Cachoeira, as a way of returning to their origins.
The festival of the Brotherhood of the Good Death, the main cultural event in the city of Cachoeira, 110 kilometres from Salvador, was the setting for the launch of the actions of the Ethnic-Afro Tourism Coordination of the Secretariat of Tourism. In the capital, neighbourhoods such as Curuzu, Liberdade, Pelourinho, Engenho Velho da Federação and Itapuã will be part of the tourist corridor.
Ilha de Maré will also be on the route, as will towns in the recôncavo such as Maragogipe, São Francisco do Conde, Santo Amaro and Euclides da Cunha. The project received an initial contribution of R$1.2 million for research and professional training.
“Now we’re moving on to the second stage of the programme, which is to put the ideas on the internet, where the public will have access to them. Having a specific itinerary will make the difference, because every day tourists will have a place to visit,” says Arminindo.
First step – The first measure to strengthen Bahia’s relationship with African-American tourists has already begun. Although the government has a partnership with an American company that already operates in Brazil in this area, Arminindo stresses that one of the main points is to create a permanent programme of regular flights from anywhere in the USA to Bahia.
“African-American tourists are constantly seeking ethnic and cultural revival in Bahia, because it favours a very strong link with their origins and traditions. Direct flights would shorten or reduce the time passengers spend on the plane by up to seven hours. This is one of the major difficulties these visitors point out in coming to Salvador,” adds the coordinator.
The programme will also offer training and qualification courses, starting in September, and survey all the cultural activities that exist in each municipality, so that a calendar of events can be established.
Facilities – Another measure highlighted by Billy Arminindo is the construction of “home-stays”, accommodation units that will be installed next to cultural centres and candomblé terreiros in Salvador and the Bahian recôncavo. According to him, this phase of the project will involve an investment of R$6 million.
“The infrastructure and professional training should boost private investment in hotel accommodation units for tourists in the main candomblé centres and cultural neighbourhoods, identifying and working together with community leaders.”
The president of the Ilê Aye Afro bloc, Antônio Carlos dos Santos, or Vovô, highlights the importance of the programme for Bahia and says that the state has space and great potential for ethnic tourism.
“Since 1998, we’ve been talking to the government about making tourism more focussed on the black community. In Curuzu, where Ilê is based, there is already a cultural route and we receive tourists from all over the world. The community needs to learn to defend its culture. We need initiatives like this, which reinforce the fight for black culture and values,” she says.
For Maria Souza, a saint’s daughter from Terreiro do Gantois, the programme should act as an attraction for tourists to learn more about what really exists in the state. “Candomblé terreiros are great attractions for valorising our culture”.
Tour guide Josuel Queiroz, who has been working directly with the African-American public for five years, thinks the government’s programme is significant for Bahia “I’m really hoping that this programme works, as long as the communities are benefited”.
Bahia.ws is the largest travel and tourism guide for Bahia and Salvador.
