And what single us out as a reference project ?

» Projects of environmental preservation

From the beginning we have invested time, money and investigation in the recovery and preservation of two outstanding animal species in advanced extinction state: the blue macaw (anadorhynchus hyacinthinus) and the ariranha (pteronura brasilienses), a giant river otter, that in spite of present in that area , they had their habitat as well as their habits limited by different actions developed by men.

Today, 8 years after , we can consider that the ecotourism concepts and its implications were fundamental in the recovery of the number of individuals of those two species in our region or area of influence.

» Incorporation of the pantaneira culture

Inspiring our activities in the tradition of the pantaneiro , beyond doubt we have contributed in a significant way to the self- esteem, not only of those working directly with us, but also the self-steem of the whole community that we see represented in everyone , when we value their alimentary habits, music, clothes and dances among other things.

» Dissemination of the concepts of sustainable development

By sponsoring practices of low environmental impact, by including our direct neighbors in the economical benefits of the tourist activity, we have achieved significant results , what is contributing in an unquestionable way in the improvement of the environmental health of our region.

» Dissemination and application of selective collection of trash and environmental treatment of the tributary rivers

- Toxicant trash
- Organic trash
- Recyclable trash
- Burnable trash
- Refuse trash

» Our visitors' satisfaction

Below follows a graphic , collected through questionnaires of individual completion on the part of the guests of the ARARAS LODGE , through these last 5 years, that orientates our development and actions:

In this same questionnaire we also asked about the eventual need of paving the Transpantaneira park road , obtaining a negative answer from 98,2% of our guests . Based on this certainty and conviction we undertook a campaign , in order that such paving may be not included like infrastructure work in the BID Pantanal project

» The ARARAS LODGE case

- 19 habitational units HU
- 3000ha of owned area, preserved with concept of private reservation
- Direct influence over 15.000ha
- Extended influence over 30.000ha and along all the Transpantaneira road, with reflexes in the municipal district and state
- Total of employees: 17 in the lodge, 10 in the operation department , bilingual guides besides the owners themselves.

» Multiplication of the model reference to small lodges (7 to 30 HU)

If we had multiplied these concepts, extending them approximately to the 25 existing lodges today in the Pantanal of MT, perfecting its practices and services, we would already count without great costs with the certainty of a preserved area of approximately 750.000 ha.

If we invest in the implantation of other many lodges under family administration with 8 to 15 HU, we will double for 1.500.000ha of preserved area, with approximately 600 additional beds that added to the approx. 1000 available beds today, would give us the possibility to assist 1600 well distributed visitors.

Today, through the programs of FCO resources of up to R$ 20.000.000,00 available for hostelry projects, in the case of the mentioned lodges , with that same value we could adapt EASILY at least 10 farm main houses to the practices of the ecoturismo, gathering this way between 80 and 150 HU , with all the advantages already demonstrated , aggregating also to these revenues the specialized services of the operators , guides, rental companies, etc.

» Proposed Implantation Model

Based on this successful experience and concepts we defended as a model of sustainable development for the Pantanal basin the multiplication of small lodges , under family administration , in the several properties with natural attractions and where the nature is fortunately preserved.

This model would guarantee the fixation of the pantaneiro with his cultural heritage and it would recover the weakened economy of the area that today expels the traditional proprietors of their lands, and it would guarantee a geographical distribution of the future visitors with minimized environmental impact , increasing still the guaranteed satisfaction of the visitors' expectations.

André Thuronyi
Electronic engineer with master's degree in optic fiber-UFRJ–CNPQ–1978.
Pioneer of the activity of nature tourism in Amazonia and Pantanal.
Proprietor of the tour-operator EXPEDITOURS and the ARARAS ECOLOGICAL LODGE.