Amidst the arms painted white, ribbons of Senhor do Bonfim tied around the wrists and the dozens of selfies in tourist attractions, the feeling of insecurity also marks the trips of tourists who visit Salvador. News about shootings in the capital and the deaths of 11 people in four days spread throughout Brazil, which raised alarms for those coming from outside the state. Avoiding going out at night and walking alone on the street, as well as researching before visiting certain neighborhoods are some of the precautionary measures taken by tourists who spent the long weekend in the city.
Teacher Isabela Galindo, 46, is from Alagoas and came with her husband to accompany her daughter who participated in a rhythmic gymnastics tournament in Lauro de Freitas. Before arriving at the airport, she was already aware of the episodes of violence that took place in the capital during the week. The news that appeared on national television scared the family, who avoided going out at night during the trip.
“It’s a shame to see that such a beautiful city has these problems of violence. We were scared and we are avoiding going out at night, the feeling is that we cannot relax,” she said. Isabela and her husband were walking in Pelourinho on Friday morning (8). One of the most famous tourist spots in Salvador was taken over by groups of tourists, who delightedly followed each point they visited.
Juliana Miranda, a tourist from Rio, says that on her flight to Salvador she was already bombarded with information about the insecurity in the capital of Bahia. “A person who sat next to me said that ‘for God’s sake’ I should be careful. I also heard a lot of comparisons that this is becoming Rio de Janeiro,” she revealed. Juliana, who travels with her friend Poliane de Andrade, said that she avoids using her cell phone on the street and wearing chains to avoid attracting attention.
More than a sensation, tourists’ fear of coming to the capital of Bahia led to cancellations of reservations and postponements of trips. “There were cancellations, but the percentage did not even reach 5% of our reception. Abav sees that security work must be punctual because we have four more holidays until the end of the year”, says Jorge Pinto, vice-president of the Brazilian Association of Travel Agencies of Bahia (Abav). The cancellation of trips purchased through 123 Miles also contributes to the reduction in trips.
Gegê Magalhães, director of tourism at the Municipal Secretariat of Culture and Tourism of Salvador (Secult), views the violent episodes with concern, but guarantees that security is reinforced in the capital’s tourist attractions. “We are seeking solutions together with the State Government to address the problems of the population and visitors. We have reinforced Military Police at tourist attractions and the Municipal Civil Guard has been supporting all tourist sites in the city”, he says. Another 100 agents are being trained and should reinforce the municipal guard by the end of this year.
Precaution
Although it is not publicist Davi Gomes’ first time in Salvador, he says that having heard reports in Fortaleza, where he lives, about the insecurity in the capital of Bahia, was something new. “I posted photos here and a friend asked if I had come to Salvador and how the security was here,” he says. Despite this, fear was not a reason to stop visiting tourist attractions with the two friends who accompanied him on the trip.
Among the tourists who spoke to the report, those who live in the Northeast reported that insecurity is already part of everyday life in other cities and, therefore, is not as scary. This is the case of Paulo Monte, 39 years old. A resident of Fortaleza, like Davi, Paulo came to Salvador to follow a football team that participated in a championship.
Even though he is used to violence where he lives, he says that the team’s technical committee advised the players not to go out at night before the match. “We asked them not to go out at night, especially alone, so as not to run any kind of risk,” he says.
The fear of robberies and theft also worries tourists who frequent the city. The same fear that affects city residents also affects tourists. Rio Vermelho, the city’s bohemian neighborhood and beloved by travelers, is facing a wave of violence with a 50% increase in the number of robberies.
On the 1st of this month, a couple of tourists from Balneário Camboriú, in Santa Catarina, were robbed by three men near Largo de Santana, at around 1 am. In a video shared on social media, the tourist even stated that “the city is beautiful, but security is zero”. The Brazilian Association of Bars and Restaurants, Bahia section, was contacted, but did not respond to questions about the impact of violence on commerce.
Tourist trade demands more security in the face of episodes of violence
“The publication of violent headlines on television, unfortunately, affects the arrival of tourists to the city. Tourists are canceling their trips here”, says Silvio Pessoa, president of the Bahia Federation of Tourism and Hospitality of the State of Bahia (Fetur). Given this worrying scenario, members of the tourist trade demand effective actions to contain violence in Salvador.
“We cannot have the image of our city compromised by emptying tourists and Bahians, compromising the work of the tourism segment”, points out Jorge Pinto, vice-president of Abav. During the 7th of September parade, Governor Jerônimo Rodrigues (PT), spoke about the shootings that occurred in locations such as Alto das Pombas, Calabar and Engenho Velho de Brotas and denied that there will be Union intervention in State security. “We are partnering with the Federal Police, both in intelligence and in the operations carried out. But for now, there is no doubt that we do not need federal intervention,” said the governor.
On Friday (8), hotel occupancy in Salvador was at 76%, but the expectation was that the rate would increase during the weekend. Hotels located on the waterfront, in neighborhoods such as Stella Maris, Itapuã and Barra were those with the highest occupancy rates, above 91%. Not everyone agrees with the impact of insecurity on the arrival of tourists in the capital of Bahia. Silvana Rós, vice-president of the National Federation of Tourist Guides (Fenagtur), is an example of this. “I currently have 140 clients and all the groups that were scheduled came. I didn’t receive any type of dissatisfaction, withdrawal or comment,” she says.
