A pandemia Covid-19 e seus impactos no etnoturismo: um estudo na Comunidade Indígena Catu dos Eleotérios, Rio Grande do Norte/Brasil

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impacts resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic on the development of tourism in the Catu dos Eleotérios community, located between the municipalities of Canguaretama and Goianinha in Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil. The research is exploratory-descriptive With a qualitative approach. Interviews were conducted with four individuals, among them three residents of the community who work in the development of local tourism, and a researcher and professor who conducts studies on tourism in the community, formulating sustainable proposals for the development and appreciation of indigenous culture. The interviews took place from October 9 to 13 of 2020, through videoconferences and phone calls. The results show that the pandemic resulted in has negative lyimpacted the flowof visitors’ flow that wason the rise in the community and in the complementary income from the visits. Finally, the work concludes that the pandemic generated a postponement of activities that were in the planning process to compose the development of tourism in the community.