A Brazilian city wants to become a preferred destination for halal tourism

A hot spot for Brazilian tourism, will the city of Foz do Iguaçu, very popular for its spectacular waterfalls which are among the seven natural wonders of the world, become one of the favorite destinations for Muslim globetrotters?

With its international influence, this is what the most attractive city in the State of Paranà is working on, where 275 breathtaking waterfalls crash, listed as UNESCO world heritage sites, and have proudly stood since 1980, a majestic beacon of Islam in Latin America: the mosque Omar ibn Al-Khattab.

Hit hard by a virus that is still not out of control, this little corner of lush paradise, rich in fascinating nature, was for the first time in its history deserted by tourists in 2020.

So it is with renewed ardor that Foz do Iguaçu, there famous locality in Brazil where more than 20,000 Arab-Muslims live and numerous halal restaurants and businesses thrive, is banking on the growth of “Islamically correct” tourism to restore its health. And this, with the full consent of its mayor, Chico Brasileiro, who is actively working to re-oxygenate the economic lung of his territory.

“ We presented our project at Dubai Expo, and I am sure that investors, seduced by its potential, will flock to us in the near future “, he recently declared, highlighting the precious assets his city has to offer.

Very enthusiastic about the new prospects offered by the flourishing halal tourism, the travel agent Patrik Dinis, who has been offering an “Arab itinerary” to his Brazilian clients for several years, both in Foz do Iguaçu and Ciudad del Este, the capital of the state of Paranà, was keen to emphasize in an interview with Arab news: “ Brazilians are very interested in the Arab culture of Foz do Iguaçu. It is visible everywhere, from the Grand Mosque to Arab schools to women wearing headscarves in the streets. Muslims feel at home in Foz do Iguaçu and we are working in this direction.”

In unison, Chico Brasileiro, the city's first magistrate, displays great confidence in the future, resolutely placed under the sign of welcoming Muslim travelers, wherever they come from, on its soil.

An unfailing confidence, which the coronavirus, however sneaky it may be, will not overcome: “ The finalization of our major tourism project may take a year, but I am convinced that within six months we will have made considerable progress and the number of Muslim visitors to our magnificent city will have already increased “.