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| State Tourism Secretariat of Bahia | |
|---|---|
| Name | Secretaria de Turismo do Estado da Bahia |
| Native name | Secretaria do Turismo da Bahia |
| Formed | 1980s |
| Jurisdiction | Salvador, Bahia |
| Headquarters | Salvador, Bahia |
| Chief1 name | Rui Costa |
| Chief1 position | Secretary |
| Parent agency | Government of Bahia |
State Tourism Secretariat of Bahia
The State Tourism Secretariat of Bahia is the executive agency responsible for developing tourism policy in Bahia (state), coordinating cultural promotion across Salvador, Bahia, advancing heritage conservation in Pelourinho, and marketing coastal destinations such as Porto Seguro and Ilhéus. It interfaces with national bodies like the Ministry of Tourism (Brazil), regional authorities including the Northeast Region, Brazil, and international organizations such as the World Tourism Organization, while engaging private stakeholders like the Confederação Nacional do Comércio and the Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Hotéis.
The Secretariat's origins trace to state-level modernization efforts in the late 20th century that involved collaborations with Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional, policy advisors from Ministry of Culture (Brazil), and consultants linked to Banco do Nordeste do Brasil. Early initiatives referenced development models from Rio de Janeiro (state), Minas Gerais, and tourism promotion strategies observed in Portugal and Spain. Landmark projects included restoration programs in Pelourinho supported by partnerships with UNESCO and funding mechanisms similar to those used in Salvador Carnival planning. Over successive administrations tied to political figures such as members of the Worker's Party (Brazil) and the Brazilian Social Democracy Party, the Secretariat expanded its remit to include sustainable tourism aligned with frameworks from the United Nations Environment Programme and infrastructure investments financed through instruments modeled after BNDES operations.
Structurally, the Secretariat comprises departments focused on marketing, heritage preservation, rural tourism, events, and regulatory oversight, drawing functional templates from agencies like the Secretariat of Culture (Brazil) and municipal counterparts in Salvador, Bahia. It manages registers akin to those maintained by the Ministry of Tourism (Brazil) for accommodation and tour operators and issues certifications comparable to those from the Associação Brasileira de Empresas de Turismo. Key functions include promoting festivals such as Carnival in Salvador, coordinating with venues like Arena Fonte Nova, and liaising with transport authorities overseeing Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport and port administrations at Port of Salvador.
Programmatic work spans cultural heritage restoration in sites like Pelourinho and Forte de Santo Antônio da Barra, promotion campaigns for coastal circuits including Costa do Cacau and Costa do Descobrimento, and rural initiatives in regions such as Chapada Diamantina. The Secretariat has launched campaigns leveraging event calendars like Festa de Iemanjá and partnerships with event organizers from Festival de Teatro de Ouro Preto-style circuits, while supporting hospitality training programs modeled on curricula from Senac and SENAR. Initiatives also include ecotourism efforts linked to Parque Nacional da Chapada Diamantina conservation objectives, artisan promotion tied to Centro de Cultura Olodum, and culinary routes highlighting chefs associated with Academia Brasileira de Gastronomia.
Funding sources combine state budget appropriations allocated through the Assembleia Legislativa da Bahia, project grants from federal bodies such as the Ministry of Tourism (Brazil), loans and technical support from Banco do Nordeste, and co-financing arrangements with supranational entities like the World Bank and regional development banks patterned after BID. Strategic partnerships include collaborations with municipal governments of Porto Seguro and Ilhéus, trade associations like the Federação Baiana de Turismo, cultural NGOs such as Instituto Goethe, and private investors including hotel chains represented by Brazilian Association of Resorts. The Secretariat has also engaged in promotional agreements with airlines operating routes to Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport and cruise lines servicing Port of Salvador.
The Secretariat's interventions have contributed to growth metrics reported alongside indicators used by IBGE and Ministry of Tourism (Brazil) studies, influencing employment in hospitality sectors represented by Sistema S training outputs and driving visitor flows to heritage sites like Pelourinho and natural attractions including Chapada Diamantina National Park. Infrastructure upgrades around event venues such as Arena Fonte Nova and investments in regional airports have supported increases in domestic and international arrivals similar to trends observed in Recife and Fortaleza. Promotion of cultural festivals including Salvador Carnival and regional gastronomic events has enhanced market visibility for businesses registered with Confederação Nacional do Comércio and for local artisans linked to institutions like Museu de Arte Moderna da Bahia.
Critiques have arisen concerning the Secretariat's handling of heritage restoration in Pelourinho, debates echoing controversies seen in Brasília urban projects, and tensions with community groups in rural areas such as those around Chapada Diamantina over land-use decisions. Allegations of procurement irregularities mirror disputes documented in other states involving public works contracts overseen by agencies like Tribunal de Contas do Estado da Bahia, and debates persist about the balance between large-scale events at venues like Arena Fonte Nova and grassroots cultural preservation championed by collectives linked to Olodum and Ilê Aiyê. Environmental advocates referencing Instituto Socioambiental frameworks have challenged certain coastal development approvals, prompting reviews comparable to interventions by Ministry of Environment (Brazil).
Category:Tourism in Bahia Category:Government agencies of Bahia Category:State secretariats of Brazil