Barrageiro Market of Foz Competes for Global Sustainable Tourism Award

The market is the only Paraná attraction on the list of contenders, which has few Brazilian representatives. In the same category are attractions and services from countries such as Ecuador, Kenya and England.

The nomination recognizes the space’s weight in the local economy. In daily operations, the market directly involves about 210 people. The network is larger: more than 900 producers, artisans, cooperative members and partner families are connected to the site. Cooperatives and associations maintain fixed points where they serve residents and tourists.

Opened at the end of 2024, the Mercado Público Barrageiro occupies the former headquarters of the Companhia Brasileira de Alimentos (Cobal), a building that for years supplied the villages of the workers who built the Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam. The workers were called "barrageiros," the origin of the space’s name. Today, more than 30 vendors operate there offering food, drinks, services and crafts, with menus that blend Brazilian recipes, those of neighboring Argentina and the city’s Arab community.

Itaipu Parquetec, responsible for administration together with Itaipu Binacional, sees the nomination as recognition of collective work. To vote, access the link available on the official awards website.

Source: https://100fronteiras.com/turismo/noticia/mercado-publico-barrageiro-de-foz-do-iguacu-disputa-premio-mundial-de-turismo-sustentavel