As dimensões econômica e social da sustentabilidade do turismo no município de Machadinho - RS

Abstract

Tourism is an activity capable of generating income and social benefits for municipalities (RODERMEL, 2014) contributing to sustainable development from planned and constantly monitored actions (UNWTO, 2018; DIAS, 2005; BUTLER 1999; UNWTO, 2003). Considering this scenario, this paper aims to identify how the economic and social sustainability of tourism is presented in the municipality of Machadinho-RS, through the application of an adaptation of the Sustainability Indicators System for Tourist Activity – SISDTur (HANAI, 2009). To this end, we have used a research with a methodology of exploratory and descriptive nature, regarding the approach classified as quantitative, in the modality of case study, making use of a survey through the application of questionnaires for data collection. Among the dimensions of tourism sustainability, we have examined the social and economic sustainability of the tourism of Machadinho. The results indicated the sustainable potential of the existing activities, evidencing the benefits, mainly economical, as well as the future possibilities for the development of local tourism. It was found that both dimensions (social and economic) show, mostly, positive indicators, mainly the economic dimension which presented 30% of sustainable indicators and 55% potentially sustainable indicators. However, partially unsustainable results indicators have been found which demand attention as in the case of indicators which deal with projects of engagement of the residents in tourism, with programs aimed at social improvements of the local population, to the tourist communication, and to the value invested by the government in the sector. The information obtained from the local tourism agents provided the understanding of the touristic activity, based on the principles of sustainability, conceiving knowledge that help the development of the city and that guide other destinations regarding the structuring of tourism in their territories.