Increasingly, Brazilian municipalities with tourism potential are seeking ways to develop their potential in a sustainable, structured, and future-oriented manner. In this context, the new call for proposals launched by UNESCO — UNESP 2353/2025 — emerges as a high-impact initiative for the sector. The proposal is simple yet ambitious: to create a technical and accessible manual to guide the structuring of sustainable tourism real estate developments throughout the country.
This material will be aimed at both public managers and entrepreneurs and investors, offering practical ways to transform ideas into viable projects that respect the environment, value local culture, and generate economic development.
In this article, you'll find the main points of the call for proposals, what will be produced from it, who can participate, and, most importantly, why this proposal could mark a new chapter in Brazilian tourism.
What is UNESCO's UNES 2353/2025 call for proposals?
Launched in May 2025, UNESCO's UNES 2353/2025 call for proposals is a public call for the contracting of a company or institution responsible for developing a technical and methodological manual focused on structuring tourism real estate projects based on sustainable development.
This initiative is part of Project 914BRZ4024, implemented in partnership with the Brazilian Government, and aims to promote tourism as an engine of economic and social development in municipalities with tourism potential.
The proposal is to create material that can guide both the public and private sectors in... Developing viable tourism projects that are attractive to investors and aligned with best sustainability practices..
Among the main points of the announcement, the following stand out:
- Drafting a manual divided into four thematic bookletsSustainability, sustainable investments, entrepreneurship, and assertive projects.;
- Production of explanatory videos to facilitate the dissemination of content;
- Technical support for conducting workshops and capacity-building activities;
- Active participation of the contracted company in meetings and material validation processes with UNESCO and the Ministry of Tourism.
The call for proposals is open until June 23, 2025, through UNESCO's official bidding platform.
Why is this public notice important for tourism in Brazil?
Tourism is one of the fastest-growing economic activities in the world—and Brazil is no exception. Despite the positive figures, many Brazilian municipalities with significant tourism potential still face difficulties in transforming this potential into real development. Among the main challenges are:
- Lack of integrated urban and tourism planning
- Lack of structured projects to attract investors.
- Lack of adequate and sustainable infrastructure.
- Lack of clear methodologies for undertaking projects in the sector.
- Lack of knowledge about good environmental and social practices.
It is precisely in this context that the UNESCO call for proposals gains relevance. By proposing the creation of an accessible and technical guiding manual, the call aims to... To offer practical tools so that municipalities and entrepreneurs can structure tourism ventures in a responsible and strategic way..
Furthermore, the content of the announcement is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the UN's 2030 Agenda, especially those dealing with sustainable economic growth, decent work, responsible consumption and environmental preservation.
The expected outcome is a virtuous cycle, where technical training, strategic planning, and a long-term vision contribute to attracting investment., To generate jobs, enhance the value of the territories, and improve the quality of Brazilian tourism based on sustainability.
What will be produced based on this call for proposals?
The main outcome of the UNES 2353/2025 call for proposals will be the production of a complete methodological manual, This material will serve as a national benchmark for structuring sustainable tourism real estate developments. It will be developed in an accessible format and with clear language, allowing both public managers and private entrepreneurs to apply it in practice.
The manual will be divided into four thematic booklets, each with a specific focus:
- Booklet 1 – Sustainability
It will present fundamental concepts, best practices, and sustainable strategies focused on the tourism sector and the construction of projects. It will include topics such as the rational use of natural resources, waste management, mobility, community engagement, and environmental legislation.
- Booklet 2 – Sustainable Investments
It will address how to identify, plan, and make viable investments in tourism ventures that consider sustainability criteria. It will also present an overview of the Brazilian and global market, with data and case studies.
- Booklet 3 – Entrepreneurship in Tourism
It will focus on inspiring and guiding those who wish to start or strengthen tourism businesses with social and environmental responsibility. It will include practical tips, formalization pathways, and useful resources for new entrepreneurs.
- Primer 4 – Assertive Projects
It will provide detailed guidance on how to develop viable, well-founded tourism projects, focusing on attracting investment and ensuring the successful execution of initiatives.
In addition to the educational booklets, the call for proposals includes:
- Production of short and long videos to facilitate the dissemination of content;
- Creation of glossaries, reference lists and supplementary tools;
- Drafting a communication plan to broaden the reach of the material;
- Possibility of carrying out training sessions and workshops, in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism.
The content should be based on technical research, up-to-date data, and real-world success stories—all validated in conjunction with the UNESCO team and institutional partners.
Who can participate and how do they submit proposals?
Participation in the UNES 2353/2025 call for proposals is open to legally constituted companies or institutions, National or international companies with proven technical capacity to develop the requested products are eligible to apply. In other words, this is not a call for proposals exclusively for public organizations—private consultancies, universities, research institutes, and other third-sector entities can also apply.
To participate, you need to:
- Present a technical proposal including a description of the company, work methodology, timeline, and team involved;
- Submit a financial proposal, detailing the costs and values per product;
- Having prior experience in projects related to tourism, sustainability, territorial planning or local development;
- Send all documents by UNESCO Bidding Platform, respecting the deadline and guidelines of the call for proposals;
- Ensure the proposal is sent. until 5 PM on June 23, 2025 (Brasilia time), at which point the system will automatically close for new submissions.
Proposals must be submitted in two separate files:
- File 1 – Technical Proposal and Qualification Documentation
- File 2 – Financial Proposal
The announcement reinforces that Proposals submitted via email or external sharing links will not be accepted., The entire process takes place directly on the UNESCO platform, following prior registration of the participating company, such as Google Drive or Dropbox.
What are the expected impacts on domestic tourism?
The UNESCO call for proposals goes far beyond the production of a manual: it proposes a new development model for Brazilian tourist destinations, with strategic planning, sustainability, and strengthening public and private management.
Based on the practical application of the material that will be produced, the expected impacts involve different areas:
a) For tourist municipalities:
- Access to technical and methodological tools to plan, approve and execute sustainable projects;
- Greater attractiveness for investors, with structured projects and clear feasibility criteria;
- Improving public tourism policies, based on data, planning and training.
b) For entrepreneurs and investors:
- Greater clarity on what constitutes a sustainable tourism venture., with applicable examples and case studies;
- Risk reduction in medium and long-term projects, thanks to technical and strategic guidance;
- Expanding business opportunities with a focus on sustainability and the demand for responsible experiences.
c) For the tourism sector as a whole:
- Strengthening the culture of planning and sustainability. in tourism development;
- Integration between tourism, environment, culture and territorial development.;
- Promoting more resilient, innovative, and inclusive destinations., prepared for current and future challenges.
By combining technical expertise with a strategic vision, this call for proposals creates the foundation for Brazilian tourism to advance more consistently. It represents a unique opportunity to enhance the quality of tourism offerings and promote sustainable growth—both for major tourist hubs and for municipalities in the development phase.
Conclusion
UNESCO's UNES 2353/2025 call for proposals represents a concrete opportunity to enhance Brazilian tourism based on technical knowledge, structured planning, and sustainable practices. By proposing an accessible and applicable manual tailored to the realities of municipalities with tourism potential, the initiative strengthens local governance and helps destinations be better prepared to grow in a balanced, responsible, and attractive way for investors.
More than just a technical document, this manual will be a instrument of transformation, capable of guiding decisions, inspiring entrepreneurs, and supporting public policies that view tourism as a driver of development and not just as a complementary activity.
A Girus Tourism Solutions We remain attentive to initiatives like this, which reinforce the strategic role of tourism in building a more sustainable future. If you work in public administration, the private sector, or tourism partner institutions, this is the ideal time to follow the call for proposals, understand its guidelines, and find inspiration to implement similar practices in your area.