In Anitápolis (SC), community-based tourism empowers families, preserves culture, and grows through the sustainable Vistas de Anitá project.
Small towns in southern Brazil are embracing community-based tourism to drive local development and sustainability. In Anitápolis, a mountain town in Santa Catarina, the model strengthens family businesses and traditions through initiatives like Vistas de Anitá, where nature and culture become part of the travel experience.
Mayor Solange Back highlights that tourism boosts local income while reinforcing pride and authenticity. “Tourism maintains our festivals, cuisine, and stories while giving families a new source of income,” she says.
Growth with environmental balance
Anitápolis’ city hall has focused on environmental preservation through projects to restore natural areas, improve supervision, and encourage sustainable land use. These initiatives protect the landscapes that define the region’s tourism identity.
The Vistas de Anitá reflects the same values, designed to harmonize architecture and the natural environment, offering outdoor experiences without harming the ecosystem that supports tourism.
Authenticity as a tourism asset
According to the mayor, Anitápolis’ main draw is its authentic, nature-immersed lodges. “Authenticity is what travelers seek beyond standard destinations,” she notes.
For Mônica Medeiros, CCO at Seazone, the project responds to this demand. “Vistas de Anitá proves it’s possible to generate economic value while protecting the environment and supporting small communities,” she says.
Nicknamed the “Paradise of Rivers and Waterfalls,” Anitápolis stands out in southern Brazil’s experiential tourism scene by blending landscape and identity into one destination.
Photo: Courtesy
