This was stated by Munir Calaça- Director President of Urbia Cataratas, who explained that they will make an investment of more than $ 100 million to provide more and better services to visitors who arrive from everyone.
It should be remembered that the Iguazu Falls- shared destination between Argentina and Brazil- is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature since November 2011.
In dialogue with Visit7Wonders, Munir Calaça said “that cataracts are one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, not only impacted Foz but in all of Brazil. It is an honor for us but also a great responsibility for sustainability and Care of the nature of this heritage that is the Iguazú National Park “.
As for the visits, the president of Urbia Cataratas said that tourists from more than 100 countries around the world arrive, but mainly receive visits from the United States, China, Japan, Canada and Europe.
Important investment
Regarding the investment that they plan to make in the area of visits of the Iguazu Falls (Brazil), Munir Calaça explained that there will be more than 100 million dollars that is planned, “but probably the investment can be much higher, and the Objective is that in the next 4 years the entire cataract visitation sector will go through a complete modernization, from the visitors center, the trails, the catwalks, the restaurants, bars, complete food area, and a space memory to Alberto Santos Dumont “.
Dumont is considered the father of Brazilian aviation and godfather of the Iguazú National Park, since in 1916 Dumont visited the cataracts and was dazzled by his beauty. For that reason on his return, he traveled to Curitiba to speak personally with the president of the State-Affonso Camargo- suggesting that the place is for public and protected use. Three months later Decree No. 653 was approved, which declared the site as a public. And in 1939, President Getulio Vargas signed Decree No. 1.035, creating the Iguaçu National Park, with its 185,000 hectares, the largest remnant in the southern Atlantic forest and the first conservation unit in Brazil that is instituted as an inheritance Natural World.
Regarding the modernization of the cataract area, Foz Tourism Secretary Andre Allian , for example, a person who cannot walk or has mobility difficulties, cannot take the walk. From the National Park.
Regarding the term of execution of Munir Calaça- Director President of Urbia Catlaratas, he said that “today we are in a phase of executive projects, and at this stage the deadline of this construction will be established, because a construction in a park of this magnitude , and mainly in a natural park that is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature, the works must be very careful. Built tourists, not to affect their visit”.
More than 2 million visits are planned in 2024
The president of Urbia Catlaratas also said that in 2023 they received some 1,833,000 visitors, and in 2024 the expectation is to reach 2,050,000 tourists.
“In the first 4 months we are with more than 600 thousand tourists, which marks a 9% increase in visits compared to 2023, which anticipates that we can reach this final issue in 2024,” Calaça said.
As exclusive activities in the Iguazu Falls (Brazilian side), in addition to the traditional walk through the cataracts, they also offer to receive sunset in the cataracts at 6.30, followed by a delicious breakfast at the place until 9.
“Another special proposal is the sunset that goes from 17 to 19.30, we also have the proposal of dusk in cataracts, a spectacular and incredible experience for those who do it. And the Belmond hotel in the park is an unmissable experience Also for those who miss spending the night in the cataracts, “said Munir Calaça.
To end the director of Urbia Catlaratas, who has 33 years of experience in hotels, aquatic parks and tourism, indicated that the fact that Iguazu cataracts is one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature has left without a doubt, a balance Positive at the destination, “first because the sotentability and care of the environment increased. Second because many people from the region work in directly or indirectly tourism. In addition, the contribution of the taxes we do is important in the collection, which also leaves Very good balance for the State. They can also manage free access, all more about environmental care, recycling and others make there a positive balance for all”.