Knowing and meeting
On his/her journey, every tourist, to a greater or lesser extent, must sooner or later open his mind. Every tourist finds out new ways of doing things and sometimes he even thinks that some of them are crazy, but, in any case, they always are a life lesson for him. Furthermore, they are also funny. His journey has not only a leisure aspect, but it has also a so called “social and cultural” aspect. As a matter of fact, we are put in close contact with different ways of living and with different ways of solving problems, which are common to all humans. All this information can be found on internet, encyclopaedias, maps, pictures, television documentaries…..but it is only with practice that we acquire our best abilities. In short: it is not like reading a manual. Actually, only if we meet a country, we can enrich ourselves and our background, that is: only through our personal experience.
And this is exactly the big difference between knowing and meeting.
Overview of world tourism
According to OMT (World Tourism Organization), today tourism has an higher turnover than oil, foodstuffs and car exports.
Tourism has become one of the key drivers for international trade and at the same time it is one of the higher incomes for many developing countries.
This sector has had a continued growth and a constant diversification process for decades. While in the ’50 years of the last century the international tourists were only 25 millions, already in 2014 they were more than 1100 millions and they became one of the key drivers of the most important economic progress in the world.
Tourism in Paraguay
Below you will not find all tourist attractions in Paraguay. As a matter of fact, we want to visit this country not as tourists but as investors. And, as investors, we are interested in meeting Paraguay, which, in this sense, is a wonderful country.
Paraguay: the variety and richness of its flora and fauna, its so different environments, its culture, which joins the best of the guarani indigenism with Hispanic heritage, its pleasant climate and its good-tasting and varied cuisine, which has its unique features. And much more: an emerging and professional hospitality industry, very characteristics celebrations, authenticity, safety both in society and in a legal and financial sense. Thanks to all this, the tourism market in Paraguay has recently doubled, year after year.
And, partly, thanks to Brazilians and Argentineans who oft cross the border to shop. And all credit goes to the very low paraguayan tax burden (for example a VAT rate maximum of 10%), if we compare it to the neighbouring countries and to the convenient cost of living in Paraguay. Being citizens of a member State of Mercosur, they may cross the border without a passport or a visa. In the same way, they will be able to become permanent residents in Paraguay, after they have carried out all the procedures to obtain their permanent residence with the precious support of Living In Paraguay. Living In Paraguay is the sole European company specialized in moves and investments in Paraguay.
In addition to the traditional commercial tourism, at present we find other options, which use the agricultural tradition of the country to establish the course of the mate and sugar cane. Another option is to take advantage of the indigenous heritage and to break into the cultural tradition. This tradition includes unique landscapes and extremely charming populations and you can also find out the rich handicraft of every province.
The Paraguayan calendar is full of celebrations, which join the Catholic tradition with the indigenous one. You will have so many to choose from: popular games, like the ones you play on Saint John’s Day (much more original than jumping campfires), characteristic meals on different celebrations and Craft Fairs. And more: devotion to the Virgin of Merced or Candelaria, St. Blaise’s Day in February, Food Regional Festivals etc. You will meet people from all over America and every time more and more Europeans rediscover and enjoy these local and national festivals.
Therefore, from 2013 the classical hotel market has grown very fast both for the number of buildings and for the number of rooms and beds. Nevertheless, despite this, you start finding different kind of accommodations, already common in Europe, like touristic rental. In Asunción this activity had the greatest growth. In addition, in Asunción there is an increasing supply of small boutique hotels with infrastructure and accommodations with all the comforts. Asunción is followed by Ciudad del Este, Encarnación, Villarrica and Salto del Guairá.
Conclusion
Paraguay moved a long way to be attractive for American and European tourists, who can choose among many destinations and natural environments: from a practically untouched land as Gran Chaco, that usually attracts many western tourists, to the big cities with all the modern comforts.
Paraguay is one of the safest and quietest country of South America and travellers who can overcome their bias, are able to find out a land that most people have not yet had the opportunity to find out. However, Paraguay, because of its characteristics, is an ideal country for young people looking for new countries, for families looking for peaceful destinations, for couples or group of friends and also for the third age…
The leaders of Paraguay realise that their country needs a well-established professional experience both in all levels of tourism and in residential market and even in cultural management. Despite this, Paraguay has the best natural and environmental conditions, Paraguay has a market that must still express all its potential and has not yet reached its maximum. But, more importantly: Paraguay has the kindness, the professionalism and the orientation to attention of the whole population.
It precisely depends on this original confluence of circumstances, that in this sense any news and any undertaking will be welcomed and it will have a much greater chance of success than in any other place.
