A participação social na governança do turismo

Abstract

Governance in tourism is seen as a type of shared management conducted by the government, the private sector, and the society. In this scenario, social participation is understood as a relevant factor in conceiving and implementing actions in order to develop tourism, thus becoming a “politically correct” concept supported by both academic discourse and public policy guidelines. However, studies on social participation and its effects in the context of touristic destinations and regions are incipient. There is a lack of debates on and understanding of the types of participation practiced in the places of public tourism management and by means of its instruments. Therefore, the aim of this research is to analyze social participation in the Regional Instances of Tourism Governance. To achieve methodological viability, a multiparadigmatic approach was used, with the adoption of mixed methods, based on both qualitative and quantitative instruments and procedures. The study scope covers three touristic regions consolidated in the Tourism Regionalization Program: Seridó – RN, Nascentes das Gerais e Canastra – MG and Uva e Vinho – RS. The relevance of this research proposal resides in the broadening of the debate about social participation in the development of tourism public policies and contribute to the understanding of management in touristic regions by identifying the variables of participation, the dimensions of governance and how they impact the results of the development of regional tourism. As a result, the research enabled verifying that there are multiple governance experiences in Brazil, and that social participation is not discussed in tourist regions, but accepted as 'universal validity' by most of the literature, sheltered in the recommendations of the Ministry of Tourism, in the politically correct speech of the actors, or even in the superficial understanding of those involved with tourism, its practice is carried out in a pulverized manner, inserted or orbiting the governance instances, merely performing a supporting role in the management process. Regarding the predictors of participation, four variables were identified common to the cases analyzed: attachment to the place, pride of the region, individual benefits and trust.