Geoparque Seridó como espaço de atuação profissional? Uma análise das concepções dos discentes do curso de Turismo da FELCS/UFRN

Abstract

The Seridó Geopark is promoted as a potential booster of regional tourism, capable of generating new employment and income opportunities for tourism professionals, especially for future tourism professionals on the FELCS/UFRN Tourism Course. In this sense, the general objective of this study is to examine the perceptions of students of the FELCS/UFRN Tourism Course about the employment opportunities offered by Geopark Seridó for future Tourism professionals. Also, the following specific objectives were outlined: contextualize the bachelor's profession in tourism in Brazil; understand the role of the bachelor in tourism and insertion in the job market; and investigate the opportunities for professional activity in the Seridó Geopark identified by students of the FELCS/UFRN Tourism Course. Methodologically, the research uses a bibliographic review and the production of data from a form. The results demonstrate that knowledge about the Seridó Geopark is still limited for some of the students participating in the investigation. The conceptions regarding the municipalities and elements that characterize the Seridó Geopark are still imprecise and incorrect. However, it was possible to identify areas of activity for professionals in this sector, such as tour guides, drivers, educational tourism, among others.