Tourism Development in Minas Gerais Spurs Business Growth Beyond Hospitality
Minas Gerais leverages tourism's growth to drive varied business opportunities and economic development beyond the hospitality sector.
- • 70.4% of Minas Gerais municipalities promote tourism, with most having supportive laws and funds.
- • Tourism generates a multiplier effect benefiting sectors like commerce, agriculture, services, and infrastructure.
- • Experts stress tourism as a catalyst for broader economic investment, not just local attractions.
- • Regions such as Serra da Canastra demonstrate successful integration of tourism and local product valorization.
Key details
Minas Gerais is harnessing its rich cultural heritage and scenic landscapes to boost tourism, which in turn is catalyzing wider economic opportunities in the region. According to the Censo Turismo 2025, an impressive 70.4% of municipalities in Minas Gerais reported initiatives to promote tourism, with nearly all having municipal tourism laws (96.1%) and local tourism funds (97.2%). This reflects a coordinated effort to use tourism as a platform for attracting investments and stimulating multiple economic sectors.
The tourism industry in Minas Gerais exhibits a strong multiplier effect; spending by tourists generates up to four times the economic impact across various sectors such as commerce, services, agriculture, construction, and infrastructure development. The diverse supply chain includes demands for hotels and restaurants, local food purchases, souvenir sales, professional services, and improvements to sanitation and roads.
Experts emphasize that tourism should be considered a strategic gateway for broader economic growth rather than a standalone activity. Antônio Terra notes that regions like Serra da Canastra and Serra da Mantiqueira demonstrate how tourism elevates local products and builds reputational value, which fosters further production and cross-sector investment.
The Secretary of Culture and Tourism, Bárbara Botega, highlighted the strategic focus on enhancing tourism to attract diverse investments.
Overall, Minas Gerais is evidencing how harnessing tourism can drive development far beyond traditional sightseeing, invigorating local economies and creating sustainable business prospects.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
