INTERETHNIC COACHING FOR THE PROMOTION OF COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM (NHANDEREKO NETWORK)
The Community-Based Tourism Network (Nhandereko Network) is an initiative that brings together several communities, collective, individual and family enterprises of caiçaras, indigenous people and quilombolas that are members of the Traditional Communities Forum. The initiative's name is based on the Guarani word Nhandereko, which means “our way of being”.
PROBLEM SOLVED
Since its creation, the Traditional Communities Forum (FCT) has been dedicated to forming a Community-Based Tourism (CBT) network in the region. Starting in 2016, with the implementation of the "Community-Based Tourism Sharing", several actions were implemented in the communities, coordinated by the Forum and supported by the OTSS Social Technology Incubator. The Nhandereko Network was created with the aim of strengthening the practices already existing in this territory and providing travelers with authentic and unique experiences.
The Nhandereko Network offers visitors immersive experiences within the communities, guided by the exchange of knowledge with local residents. In contrast to mass tourism, the Network believes that community-based tourism promotes education, autonomy and protagonism through tourism initiatives that value traditional ways of life. This approach not only generates income within the communities, but also contributes to the preservation and appreciation of their cultures and traditions.
SOLUTION ADOPTED
To promote sustainable and supportive development, based on ethnic and cultural diversity, the Nhandereko Network encourages tourism based on environmental quality, community involvement and participatory management, cultivating authentic quilombola, indigenous and caiçara culture.
Visitors have the opportunity to experience the customs and values of these communities through traditional cuisine, dances, songs and crafts, community fishing, the making of caiçara canoes, different religious expressions, among others. All of this takes place amidst the beauty of the Atlantic Forest, with its waterfalls, beaches, islands and exuberant fauna.
All activities promoted by the Nhandereko Network are permeated by the appreciation of ancestral knowledge transmitted by masters, shamans and griots. In addition, there is a strong focus on cultural appreciation, differentiated education, agroecology, female protagonism, respect for the environment and community governance. Although the initiatives of the Nhandereko Network present considerable differences in terms of available structure and experience offered, they share fundamental principles of Community-Based Tourism (CBT). These principles include the fight for territory, the search for a dignified life and occupation in the territory, the reproduction of traditional livelihoods when sustainable, the protection of the environment, the generation of work and income, the involvement of young people, intergenerational relationships and the visibility of female protagonism. The role of women as managers in Community-Based Tourism (CBT) in traditional communities strengthens the fight to remain in their territories, the generation of work and income, the rescue and appreciation of culture and dialogue between generations.
RESULT ACHIEVED
The Nhandereko Community-Based Tourism Network has 16 itineraries at different levels of structure, 5 of which are more advanced and will begin to be offered through the Network's own TBC Marketing Center in 2024. The participation of these communities promotes the strengthening of the arrangements of the various destinations that make up the Network. In addition, TBC sharing and workshops are held to foster the development and training of the communities involved.
A pocket map of the region's TBC itineraries was developed, as well as a Network page, facilitating access to information and promoting the visibility of the destinations.
Recently, the Cairuçu APA Council, based on the Charter of Principles of the Nhandereko Community-Based Tourism Network, defined TBC as a visitation management model led by the community. This model generates collective benefits, promoting intercultural experiences, quality of life, appreciation of the history and culture of these populations, as well as the sustainable use of resources from conservation units for recreational and educational purposes. This concept also incorporates indigenous and quilombola territories, ensuring that their traditions and ways of life are respected and valued.