Asunción, Agencia IP.- Domestic tourism continues to consolidate itself as an increasingly popular option for Paraguayans to explore the country’s natural, historical, and cultural attractions. Tourism initiatives driven by the private sector are helping energize this activity, bringing more people to destinations that, in many cases, remain little known and generating economic opportunities in different communities.

Patricia Galeano, owner of the domestic tourism agency Aventura Paraguay, is one of the entrepreneurs committed to strengthening national tourism. For the past five years, she has organized trips and tours to various parts of Paraguay, offering travelers experiences connected to nature, history, and local traditions.

«I started five years ago, before the pandemic,» Galeano recalled. Her venture grew gradually, beginning with small excursions organized among neighbors in her community.

Over time, and encouraged by friends and acquaintances, she began promoting her activities on social media, which allowed her to expand the reach of her offerings and attract new travelers interested in discovering destinations across the country.

Growing interest in exploring the country

According to Galeano, recent years have seen a growing interest among both young people and older adults in visiting Paraguay’s tourist destinations.

«There’s a lot of movement. We organize trips and take people to discover different places in our country. There are even places that many people still don’t know about, so we research them and create travel packages so people can discover them,» she said.

She emphasized that Paraguay has a wide diversity of attractions. «Our country has very beautiful places. Some are a little difficult to reach, but every city or department has its own charm,» she noted.

Families and the elderly are among the groups that most frequently participate in these tours, many of them already retired or approaching retirement.

«There is a lot of interest among people aged 50 and older. Many are at a stage in life when they want to travel and discover new places,» she explained.

These trips also become opportunities for social interaction and family bonding. «More families are traveling together, parents with their children, grandparents with their grandchildren, or even groups of uncles and nephews,» she added.

Tourism experiences throughout the year

Domestic tourism proposals include experiences for different times of the year. Some attractions vary by season, such as sunflower fields, which can be visited between October and December.

«Sunflower tours only take place during those months when they bloom. People really enjoy traveling to take photos, both young people and adults,» Galeano said.

Other destinations can be visited year-round. Among them, she mentioned caves such as the Kamba Hopo Cave, the Tree Museum, and tourist circuits that include visits to the Itaipu Binacional hydroelectric dam, the Tatí Yupí Tourist Complex, the Tekotopa Environmental Center, and the Monday Falls.

«These are places that never lose their charm and can be visited in any month of the year, whether it’s cold or hot,» she explained.

One of the most-requested tours is the circuit that brings together these attractions in the eastern part of the country.

«I usually organize that circuit once a month, and it always fills up. This weekend I’m taking a group of 60 people, and we’ve already closed the reservations,» she noted.

Destinations that surprise visitors

Among the places that most impress travelers are the Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad del Paraná, the Tree Museum, the Monday Falls, and various waterfalls and natural landscapes across different regions of the country.

«There are many places people don’t know about, for example, near San Estanislao or Pedro Juan Caballero, where there are very beautiful waterfalls,» she said.

Some more distant destinations are organized during long weekends, making travel planning easier.

«I already note the dates of each holiday and start thinking about what trips can be organized, because people ask about them and book in advance,» she explained.

Long holidays are often key moments for tourism activity in the country, as many families take advantage of those days to make short trips and visit different destinations.

Easter travel proposals

Looking ahead to Holy Week, Galeano is preparing several travel options, including trips to Vallemí, the Monday Falls, and the traditional religious celebration of the Tañarandy Holy Week Celebration.

One of the most notable tours includes the seven churches circuit, starting in Yaguarón and continuing through Paraguarí, Carapeguá, Quiindy, San Miguel, and San Ignacio.

«Last year, we introduced the seven churches tour, and people loved it. Two full buses went,» she recalled.

The itinerary includes participation in the religious and cultural activities of Tañarandy, one of the most emblematic Holy Week celebrations in Paraguay.

Impact on local communities

Galeano emphasized that domestic tourism also helps stimulate the economies of communities that receive visitors.

«It’s very important to work with the communities in each city. When we bring people, we also provide work for guides, guesthouses, restaurants, and those who sell their products,» she explained.

The arrival of tourists benefits food entrepreneurs, artisans, accommodation providers, and other services linked to the sector, generating income and job opportunities for populations near the main attractions.

For this reason, she said she coordinates in advance with trusted local service providers in each destination.

«We notify them ahead of time so they can prepare, because they also depend on these activities,» she said.

Importance of registration with Senatur

The entrepreneur also highlighted the importance of tourism agencies operating formally and being registered with the Secretaría Nacional de Turismo (Senatur), a requirement that provides greater security and confidence for travelers.

Galeano explained that the registration process involved gathering various documents and meeting several administrative requirements.

The procedure included verification of the agency’s place of operation and compliance with legal and administrative standards.

She noted that registration with Senatur also reassures clients, especially in a context where some people fear potential scams in the sector.

«Some people ask whether you have official authorization. That also gives them confidence,» she said.

In this way, the strengthening of domestic tourism is positioning itself as a driver of territorial development while encouraging Paraguayans to rediscover the country’s natural, cultural, and historical attractions.

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