Our partner believes in the power of tourism as a transformation tool. For the community, organized tourism groups receive an alternative source of income from handicrafts, meal service, and providing accommodation on top of the ability to maintain their cultural heritage. For travelers, they receive a unique opportunity to experience cultural exchange that makes them think about their role in the world. All projects are developed in tandem with community stakeholders and are continuously monitored and evaluated for effectiveness.
Cotijuba Island underwent a major transformation during the beginning of the twentieth century, a period of great economic and social development when the island implemented an educational reform that sought to provide abandoned boys and girls from Belém and its surrounding areas with technical and professional education.
The commercial and cultural activities of the local families had a strong impact on the creation of the island. The daily activities of the residents living there were mainly focused on fishing, agriculture, and harvesting from nature as well as the commercialization of these products.
For the Brazilian Amazon spices and secrets tour, what really stood out for its development on the Island of Cotijuba was a group of women who came together to focus on sustainable development. The women of Cotijuba Island named themselves MMIB (female movement of the Belem Islands) and began work on a number of socio-economic development projects and initiatives, such as the production of Ucuuba and Piprioca (plants) to supply a big cosmetic company, creating bio-jewelry, making paper, managing a tree nursery and now implementing tourism as an alternative income stream. Get ready for a full immersion into a strong, organized and above all, fighter community.
