Santo Antônio do Pinhal, located in the Vale do Paraíba region, will be one of the highlights of the new Campos do Jordão Railway Tourist Complex, with the creation of commercial villages aimed at promoting regional tourism. The project, led by the Secretariat for Investment Partnerships (SPI), aims to transform the railway surroundings into a new tourism hub focused on regional development, local culture appreciation, and the generation of direct and indirect jobs.
With approximately R$ 400 million in expected private investment, the project includes not only the modernization of the railway line and tourist trains, but also the development of new leisure and commercial structures in the area. The commercial villages in Santo Antônio do Pinhal will further boost tourism in the region, which already has a strong appeal due to its ecological, gastronomic, and artisanal character, strengthening the identity of the Serra da Mantiqueira and attracting visitors year-round.
“The São Paulo State Government’s proposal creates value by integrating local culture, tourism, and the creative economy. Santo Antônio do Pinhal has great potential to become a hub for cultural and gastronomic experiences in the São Paulo countryside,” says Edgard Benozatti, CEO of the São Paulo State Partnership Company (CPP).
In addition to the commercial villages, the project includes the revitalization of the Reino das Águas Claras Park and the Railway Memory Museum, as well as the development of new commercial centers. The goal is to strengthen the region as a unique destination — a tourist hub that promotes economic development and sustainability.
SPI will hold two public hearings on the project next week. The first will be held in person on May 19 (Monday), at 11 a.m., at the Campos do Jordão City Council, located at Rua Inácio Caetano, 490, Vila Abernéssia. The second meeting will take place online on May 20 (Tuesday), also at 11 a.m., allowing for broader public and stakeholder participation. Those interested in speaking or attending can register through forms available on the SPI website or in person prior to the start of the in-person hearing.
Contributions from civil society, businesses, or experts may be submitted until June 23 through the public consultation available on the SPI website. The concession notice is scheduled for the second half of 2025.
Photo: Miguel Schincariol / Government of the State of São Paulo