Vila do Araçá in Santa Catarina, Brazil, is a finalist for UN Tourism's 'Best Tourist Villages' award.
Vila do Araçá, a community in Porto Belo, Santa Catarina, has been named one of seven Brazilian finalists for the UN Tourism 'Best Tourist Villages' award. This village is recognized for its deep-rooted fishing traditions, seafood-centric gastronomy, and well-preserved natural landscapes. Historically, Vila do Araçá began as a settlement where families relied directly on the sea for their livelihood, a tradition of artisanal fishing that the community actively preserves. The area boasts picturesque scenery with blue waters, numerous boats, and natural features like rocky outcrops and protected vegetation, making it a haven for nature lovers and a popular spot for picnics and sunset viewing. The calm sea is also where local artisanal fishermen dock their boats and craft their nets on the shore. The name 'Araçá' itself originates from a local fruit, adding to the area's unique identity. While artisanal fishing is a highlight, larger industrial boats are also visible in the waters. The 'Best Tourist Villages' initiative by UN Tourism aims to recognize rural destinations and communities that leverage tourism to enhance cultural heritage, promote environmental protection, sustain traditions, and generate local economic opportunities. To qualify, villages must have a population of up to 15,000 and be characterized by traditional activities such as fishing, alongside the preservation of community values and lifestyles. The seven Brazilian finalists, selected by the Ministry of Tourism from ten initial applications, will compete against 261 other villages globally. The final results will be announced in December in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This program, established by UN Tourism in 2021, fosters an international network for sharing best practices in sustainable tourism, and Santa Catarina has previously seen success with the 'Rota do Enxaimel' in Pomerode receiving the award in 2021.
The selection of Vila do Araçá as a finalist for the UN Tourism 'Best Tourist Villages' award highlights a global trend toward valuing authentic, community-based tourism models. This recognition underscores the economic and cultural potential of preserving traditional livelihoods, such as artisanal fishing, in the face of modernization. The initiative incentivizes destinations to balance development with the protection of natural and cultural heritage, offering a counterpoint to mass tourism. As the tourism sector evolves, particularly with the rise of AI-driven personalization and sustainable travel demands, such villages represent a critical segment of the market. Their success hinges on maintaining genuine character while adopting scalable, sustainable practices that benefit local populations and ecosystems, a delicate equilibrium that will be increasingly tested in the coming decade.
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