10-7-2014

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Brazil's eco-tourists keep social

enterprises successful and sustainable
Our threepart series closes with an investigation into Brazilian
ecotourism and social enterprise success by Iguazu Falls

In Brazil social enterprises are seeking new opportunities near fam ous attractions such as Igazu Falls.
Photograph: Andre Penner/AP

In part one Brazil's social entrepreneurs are making the most of safer favela conditions
In part two How to develop eco-tourism and sustainable business in the Amazon
rainforest
In part three, Richard Brownsdon investigates the development of ecotourism in the
central-west region of Brazil and explains the lessons he learnt from a successful
conservation enterprise in the south.

Become a specialist
Juca Ygarape, is the founder and owner of Ygarape Tour in Bonito, in the central-west
region of Brazil. He personally discovered many of the natural attractions that have
made Bonito famous for ecotourism. Because of this, he quickly became the man the
Discovery Channel and National Geographic call when they need a local expert.
Develop best practices
Over the years, Ygarape and friends have been responsible for designing many of the
guiding principles and best practices that keep Bonito's tourist trade sustainable.
For example, Bonito is famous for its crystal clear waters. Some of the rivers have
visibility of 40 metres underwater. Thanks to Ygarape, there's a limit on the number of
tourists that can go each day and on the group size.
Snorkelers are reminded not to touch the riverbed as it disturbs the natural
environment. They are even asked not to use sunscreen or insect repellent, as they
effect the delicate ecology of the water. These steps preserve the environment and still
allow it to be shared it with tourists. Ygarape sees huge potential for the area.
Seek new opportunities
Ygarape said: "Only about 40 percent of the natural attractions I have already
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10-7-2014

Brazil's eco-tourists keep social enterprises successful and sustainable | Guardian Sustainable Business | Guardian Professional

discovered in the Bonito area have been turned into tours. There at least another 50-60
opportunities here for sustainable tourism."

Running a conservation enterprise in the south of

Brazil
The most famous attraction of the south region of Brazil is certainly Iguazu Falls. It is
one of the largest, widest waterfalls in the world. However, at the entrance to the Iguazu
National Park, there is another attraction for local visitors.
Although less well known, the conservation-focused bird park Parque Das Aves
welcomes more than half a million tourists a year.
Carmel Croukamp, director of the park, said: "The bird park is a social and conservation
enterprise in the endangered Atlantic Rainforest. We're set right next to the Iguazu
National Park, home of the magnificent Iguazu Falls."
1. Offer a unique experience
Croukamp said: "We make our money from tourism, charging entry fees for the unique
experience of close contact with native birds in the jungle. This enables us to breed
native and endangered species, conduct scientific research and educate locals on the
environment."
In fact 47 percent of the birds in the park are animals rescued from traffickers and
maltreatment and 43 percent have been bred at the park, many of which are
endangered species. Parque Das Aves continues to develop forwardthinking 10-20
year programs that will reintroduce these endangered species back into the wild.
2. Educate your customers
They are also educating 35,000 school children a year in their expanding environmental
education program. The environmental education co-ordinator for the park, Juliana
Ebling, is also the president of the Brazilian Environmental Educators Association, and
helps the Brazilian government shape its environmental education policy.
She said: "When young environmental educators expand their teaching to more people,
to the people they teach and guide, and to the other parts of Brazil, that's when we see
attitudes towards the environment change on a large scale. And that's the most
rewarding part of the work."
3. Trust your staff
Many of the staff are former poachers and loggers, some of whom have now become
expert bird handlers. Parque Das Aves has put its trust in people who used to make
their living smuggling birds. It now employs more than 140 people, passionate about the
conservation of the environment and the birds with in it. Croukamp said: "Our staff love
what they do with a passion."
Flying high, and optimistic about the future, they are currently constructing the largest
free fly aviary in the world, which is due to open in 2014.
As all eyes turn to Brazil for the World Cup and the Olympics in the next few years, it is
the social entrepreneurs of the country that will be doing the real work to make things
better. In every region there is opportunity, positivity and natural beauty.
Richard Brownsdon runs Inspiring Adventures. He is a writer, blogger and freelance
social enterprise marketing and events specialist.
This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To join the
Guardian Social Enterprise Network, click here.
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