Brazil’s new Imperial Tourist Route, Caminho dos Príncipes, was established by Law 15.165/2025.
IT UNITES TEN TOWNS IN NORTHERN SANTA CATARINA: ARAQUARI, BALNEARY BARA DO SUL, CAMPO ALEGRE, CORRUPÁ, GUARAMIRIM, SOUTH JARAGUÁ, JOINVILLE, RIO NEGRINHO, SAINT BENTO DO SUL, AND SÃO FRANCISCO DO SUL.
The aim is clear: more tourism money should stay in these communities, supporting local families, businesses, and traditions. Joinville leads the route with more than 6,200 hotel beds, nearly 900 restaurants, unique cultural festivals, and architecture rooted in its German heritage.
The city is also home to the only Bolshoi Ballet School branch outside Russia and serves as the region’s main gateway for visitors. Elsewhere along the route, smaller towns like Rio Negrinho, Campo Alegre, and São Bento do Sul highlight rural tourism.
They offer farm stays, artisan food, and cultural events reflecting their German, Italian, Polish, and Ukrainian immigrant backgrounds.
Experience Authentic Heritage: Exploring Santa Catarina’s Most Diverse Tourist Route. (Photo Internet reproduction)
The Ministry of Tourism’s support includes better infrastructure and focused marketing designed to guide visitor spending directly to small producers and local guesthouses.
Tourism plays a growing role in Brazil’s economy. By May 2025, the country welcomed 4.8 million international tourists—a 50 percent jump from the previous year, official statistics confirm.
National forecasts expect tourism to contribute US$167.6 billion to Brazil’s economy in 2025 and support over 8 million jobs.
The Caminho dos Príncipes route uses its established highways and authentic heritage to offer experiences that travelers want, while delivering clear economic benefits for residents.
The policy addresses a local need: keep profits at home, protect regional identity, and make sure growth supports families, not outside corporations. The initiative stands as a tested model for balancing tradition, modern tourism, and fairer development.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings