O turismo no espaço rural como atividade complementar de geração de renda e ocupação não agrícola no COREDE das Hortênsias do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

As a result of major changes in rural areas in recent decades, it was necessary the inclusion of non-agricultural activities as an alternative income to families residing in the field, as tourism. This activity allows greater interaction between the urban man and rural environment, of small and medium rural properties around the world. In addition, the Tourism provides opportunities for rural families to increase their income and diversify their activities. Based on this logic, it was conducted a study on rural tourism in the Regional Development Council (COREDE) of Hortênsias in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The research was divided into two phases, the first exploratory and bibliographic, in which was carried out a survey of the number of active rural properties in relation to tourism, accredited at the Secretaria Estadual de Turismo do Rio Grande do Sul. In the second stage, we elaborated census in the properties through a questionnaire with open and closed questions. Therefore, ten rural properties were visited in November 2014. The objective of the study was to determine whether the rural tourism can be seen as complementary activity to generate income and non-agricultural employment in the region. In addition, we sought to differentiate rural properties practicing agro tourism from the ones practicing rural tourism, establishing a profile of the generation of employment and income in the primary and tertiary sectors in COREDE. Finally, we pursued to evaluate in which stage can be found the active host community with regard to tourism in rural areas developed on their own properties. Among the results presented, we identified that tourism significantly increased the rural families income. Rural Tourism is the most practiced activity in the region, with 80% of the visited properties. The jobs created by tourism are mostly temporary jobs and activity at the stage of "involvement" according to theoretical model presented by Butler (1980).