The objective of this project is to support the development of tourism products based on the existing cultural, natural and human resources that would generate a model of tourism management for the Cave Circuit, would improve the quality of life of the communities involved; as well as foster their active participation in the definition of their future strategy through tourism.

 

A preliminary research, which began in mid-July, was carried out by volunteers, experts and local actors who analyzed the Destination's secondary sources in preparation for the field work.

 

Fieldwork preliminary conclusions were presented in the Hotel Max Savassi, Belo Horizonte, on September 27 and the event was attended by authorities, local stakeholders implicated in the process, representatives of the Ministry of Tourism of Brazil (SETUR) and all volunteers.

 

The volunteers’ team consisted of 8 members from the UNWTO Volunteers Corps  from Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Andorra and France (two of them giving online support), and 8 tourism and architecture students from the Catholic University of Minas Gerais (PUC). This team also received support from 7 technicians from SETUR. This is the first time that a the UNWTO Volunteers initiative is integrated by a team of technicians and local volunteers.

 

Over the coming months the team will continue work on drafting the final document and the strategic plan which will be delivered during the first half of next year.