Turismo de aventura em Três Coroas : análise a partir dos critérios do adventure tourism development index

Abstract

Adventure tourism, as a form of alternative tourism, should follow the principles of sustainability. The city of Três Coroas uses natural resources to promote adventure tourism. Among the existing adventure tourism activities in the city, the rafting is the more relevant activity to the development of local tourism. The research's objective was assess the sustainability of adventure tourism activities in the city of Três Coroas, using the pillars of Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI). The survey data were collected by interviews, participant observation and literature research. The interviews were conducted with five businessmen of adventure tourism and the municipal tourism director. The collected data were used for the assessment and classification of Três Coroas' adventure tourism, by the criteria of the Adventure Tourism Development Index. The relationship between public authorities and entrepreneurs, who put tourism as a strategic factor for the city's development, the quality of services, and the infrastructure were assessed as positive. The lack of control, over the carrying capacity supported by the environment, insufficient basic services, that are essential to the sustainable development of tourism, such as basic sanitation and health, and the Paranhana's river pollution problems were classified as negative. The tourism diversification by investing in new alternative tourism segments can mean better utilization of the tourist flow in the city.