Percepção ambiental e planejamento do turismo sertanejo na região do seridó, RN.

Abstract

Tourism is characterized as a relevant economic alternative for different cities, regions and countries. The high levels of income have made this modern society phenomenon one of the main economic activities encouraged by governments in many countries including Brazil. However, due to intensive stimulation, tourism has grown in a disorderly way causing damage to local communities and natural environment in a lot of tourist destinations. Based on such discussion, this research aims at proposing alternatives for tourism planning, based on social participation assumptions, regional aspects and local development. In order to reach our goals, we carried out an analysis about the environmental community's perception in the city of Tenente Laurentino Cruz / RN by observing that the views, opinions and expectations of people living in that locality may be characterized as subsidies in proposing relevant actions, strategies and town organization policies concerned to tourism. Adopted methodology consists of bibliographic and documentary research as well as the use of interviews, conversation, observation and questionnaires application to residents from both urban and rural zones of Tenente Laurentino Cruz during the period of May to June 2010. Natural attractions inventory of the city followed the model adopted by EMBRATUR and the proposition of tourism planning actions followed Turismo Sertanejo assumptions. Thus, the work proposes the environmental awareness as a strategy for community participation in tourism planning, contributing to the construction of a less impacting and more participative activity by pointing out the local development.