The tourist attractions of the Brazilian margin of Itaipu Binacional, in Foz do Iguaçu (PR), received 299,231 visitors in the first half of the year. The number is 20% higher than in the same period last year.
The balance was released late Monday afternoon (3) by the Itaipu Tourist Complex (CTI), responsible for the management of tourism at the plant.
The tour that received the most tourists was the Panoramic Tour, with 187.5 thousand visitors, number 12% higher than in 2016. The attraction with the highest percentage growth was the tour with the boat Kattammaram by Lake Itaipu – jump of 128% in relation Over the same period last year.
In June, the last month of the semester, the increase in visitation was even higher – by 27.8%. There were 36,052 tourists, compared to 28,205 in June last year.
“With the resumption of the economy, the demand of Brazilians for visiting destinations within the country has increased considerably, which reflected this increase,” says Yuri Benites, CTI manager.
For the high season of July, month of school holidays, the CTI prepared a series of measures to face the high in the movement. The Panoramic Tour, for example, the most sought after by tourists, will have departures every 15 minutes – the normal one is an exit every 30 minutes. In the Special Circuit, there will be six daily departures, with 40 visitors attended each time.
The Astronomical Pole will now have four daily departures and will receive an exclusive promotion, called the Itaipu Universe, in which the tourist will receive a 50% discount on the attraction if they also purchase the Panoramic Tour or the Special Circuit.
Visitors to the Panoramic or Special Circuit will also receive a 10% discount on lunch at Kattammaram Port.
Residents of the region do not pay
The residents of the trinational region and municipalities bordering Lake Itaipu do not pay admission to five attractions of the plant: Panoramic Tour, Dam Lighting, Biological Refuge, Astronomical Pole and Ecomuseum. In the Special Circuit and in Kattamaram Port, in addition to the Parking of the Visitor Reception Center (CRV), the discount is 50%.
To have the benefit, the resident must present proof of recent residence, accompanied by a photo document. Children under 18 years can present proof in the name of the parents.
More information and reservations can be obtained through the website www.turismoitaipu.com.br or by telephone (45) 3576-7000.
Waterfalls of Iguaçu
In the Iguaçu National Park, home to the Iguaçu Falls, the largest tourist attraction in the region, visitation had a 14% increase in the semester. There were 775.5 thousand tourists this year, compared to 680 thousand registered in the same period last year. Park administration estimates that if this pace is maintained, there is a strong chance of breaking the annual visitation record. The record was recorded in 2015, when 1.6 million tourists visited the park.