Treze Tílias, the most Austrian city in Brazil. 

In this case study, we will present the Municipal Tourism Plan of Treze Tílias, a project made possible through a partnership between Sebrae/SC and the Municipality of Treze Tílias/SC, executed by Girus Soluções em Turismo. Delivered in November 2024, the Municipal Tourism Plan was developed with the aim of promoting the sustainable tourism development of Treze Tílias, considered one of the main tourist destinations in the Mid-West region of Santa Catarina. 

The Context: Treze Tílias, the most Austrian city in Brazil. 

Located in the Mid-West region of Santa Catarina, approximately 430 km from the capital Florianópolis, the municipality of Treze Tílias is recognized as one of the main tourist destinations in the Mid-West of Santa Catarina. With a population of approximately 8,700 inhabitants, Treze Tílias stands out for its rich tradition inherited from European colonizers, its wood carvings, the production of craft beers, and the range of tourist experiences that highlight the typical gastronomy, folklore, and natural beauty of its territory. 

In the tourism sector, the destination of Treze Tílias is known for its attractions related to Adventure Tourism (Cycling Tourism), Events & Business Tourism, Ethnic-Cultural Tourism, Gastronomic Tourism, Rural Tourism, Religious Tourism, and Educational Tourism. Among the main tourist attractions of the municipality, one can highlight Lindendorf Park, the Municipal Hall, Andreas Thaler Municipal Square, the Andreas Thaler Municipal Museum, the Nossa Senhora do Perpétuo Socorro Parish Church, the Linha Pinhal Chapel, the Bierbaum Brewery, the Immigrant Park, the Thaler Sculptures, the Treze Tílias Water Park, and the Treze Tílias Eagle Monument. 

Girus Soluções em Turismo and its essential contribution to tourism planning in Treze Tílias/SC. 

According to State Mercantile Society for the Management of Innovation and Tourism Technologies – SEGITUR (Spain), a Smart Tourist Destination is defined as: “an innovative tourist space, accessible to all, consolidated in a state-of-the-art technological infrastructure that guarantees the sustainable development of the territory, facilitates the interaction and integration of the visitor with the environment and increases the quality of their experience in the destination and the quality of life of the residents”. 

Aiming to make Treze Tílias a leading tourist destination on the national scene, the Treze Tílias Municipal Tourism Plan proposed a set of strategic priorities directly linked to the pillars that make up a Smart Tourist Destination, namely: 

Innovation:  

• Strategy 1: Innovation in Tourism Products 

• Strategy 2: Innovation in Attraction Management and Infrastructure 

• Strategy 3: Innovation in Investment Attraction 

• Strategy 4: Cultural Innovation and Events 

• Strategy 5: Digital and Commercial Innovation 

• Strategy 6. Capacity Building and Innovation 

• Strategy 7. Innovation in International Integration 

Technology:  

• Strategy 1. Intelligent Tourist Information Center (CAT) 

• Strategy 2. Technological Solutions for Tourism Experiences 

• Strategy 3. Tourism Management and Monitoring Platform 

• Strategy 4. Expanding Digital Connectivity 

Sustainability:  

• Strategy 1. Awareness and Education for Sustainability 

• Strategy 2. Corporate Sustainability and Environmental Certification 

• Strategy 3. Sustainable Infrastructure and Resource Management 

• Strategy 4. Public Security and Sustainable Tourism 

Governance in Tourism:  

• Strategy 1. Institutional and Structural Strengthening of Tourism 

• Strategy 2. Collaborative Management and Intersectoral Integration 

• Strategy 3. Public Policies and Regulation for Tourism 

• Strategy 4. Institutional and Financial Support for Tourism Development 

• Strategy 5. Promoting Registration and Formalization of the Tourism Sector 

Accessibility and Mobility:  

• Strategy 1. Universal Accessibility in Tourism 

• Strategy 2. Road Infrastructure and Tourist Signage 

• Strategy 3. Sustainable and Alternative Mobility 

• Strategy 4. Study and Improvement of Urban Mobility 

• Strategy 5. Emergency Care and Specialized Mobility 

Based on the strategies, a set of 48 actions was developed, 23 of which are related to Innovation, 4 to Technology, 8 to Sustainability, 6 to Tourism Governance, and 7 to Accessibility and Mobility. The short-term (2025 and 2026), medium-term (2027 and 2028), and long-term (from 2029 onwards) actions should be implemented jointly by public sector bodies and entities, the private sector, and organized civil society.  

Conclusion 

The Municipal Tourism Plan of Treze Tílias stands out as a strategic planning model capable of promoting the economic and social development of a tourist destination. Through the joint efforts of Sebrae/SC, the Municipal Government, and the local tourism industry, the municipality of Treze Tílias is on the right track to become "a sustainable tourist destination and a national benchmark by 2033, due to the offer of memorable experiences that value nature, culture, and gastronomy in the most Austrian city in Brazil.".  

The case study of the Treze Tílias Municipal Tourism Plan highlights Girus Soluções em Turismo's expertise in the integrated and sustainable planning and development of the sector, focusing on cultural appreciation, environmental preservation, and the engagement of local communities, contributing to job and income generation in tourist destinations.