Public tourism policies in the Brazilian Amazon: Participation and networks

Kassia Suelen Da Silva ' FARİAS,Silvio Lima FİGUEİREDO

doi:10.31822/jomat.2021-sp-1-53

Abstract

The aim of this study is to analyze the tourism network in Marajó, PA, Brazil. To do so, we sought to elucidate the concept of participation, networks and public policies so that the mechanisms of their organization in this region can be understood. This work is an excerpt from the dissertation entitled “Tourism governance on Ilha do Marajó, Pará, Brazil: An analysis of the relationship networks established in public tourism policies” (Farias, 2018). This analysis uses an interdisciplinary approach in tourism, seeking to interpret it from theoretical perspectives on participation in public policies. The study follows several steps which in the end could be connected and interpreted based on the assumptions of qualitative research. The bibliographical deepening, documentary analysis, the elaboration and application of semi-structured interviews directed the study to reach the proposed objective. Thus, the analysis revealed that the participation of agents in the decision-making process in tourism does not aim to disregard the State, but seeks to confirm the importance that institutions represent. Some examples are civil initiatives and organizations such as the Women’s Association of Pesqueiro (Associação das Mulheres do Pesqueiro - ASMUPESQ), as evidenced in the study.

Highlights

The Amazon region was the scene of regional development processes allied to public policies throughout the end of the 20th century and in the first two decades of the 21st century, which guaranteed, at least in intention, the benefits of this development for its population, and for the whole country
At the same time that there is a need to develop the region, tourism begins to appear in regional plans as a vector of development based on its “multiplier effects” and the low investment capacity for its practice
The analysis revealed that the participation of agents in the decision-making process of tourism does not aim to disregard the State, but seeks to confirm the importance that institutions represent

Summary

Introduction

The Amazon region was the scene of regional development processes allied to public policies throughout the end of the 20th century and in the first two decades of the 21st century, which guaranteed, at least in intention, the benefits of this development for its population, and for the whole country. It reveals that public policies suffer great interference from actors linked to traditional institutions (such as political parties and pressure groups), not to mention the different social actors It understands that the network causes changes in the political-administrative structure, as it recognizes the complexity of society and the State, considering the diversification of individuals included in the network whose interests are multiple; it realizes an increase in the actors involved, and the degree of uncertainty to manage their relationships and their results increases and opens paths for new interpretations of public policies. The choice of agents follows identifying members of instances such as the Forum, and the traditional production chain, with representatives of the traditional trade and public agents, in addition to other agents which are part of the relational field of tourism, such as the Women’s and Residents’ Association of Vila do Pesqueiro

Analysis

Findings

Conclusion