Turismo de base comunitária como alternativa para o desenvolvimento rural: a experiência da comunidade de Chã de Jardim, Areia – PB

Abstract

Tourism is a expanding activity in recent decades, acting a key role in the economic growth of certain countries. Despite the economic benefits of tourism, the lack of planning in the use of natural resources and other tourist resources, can cause negative impacts. Which include degradation to the environment, and the quality of social and cultural life of local individuals. In order for this tourism to develop its potential, be it economic, social or environmental, it is necessary to adopt alternative tourism models that include the needs of the local population in the process of planning and developing tourism activity. It is in this context that new alternative models for tourism development emerge, between them, there is the Community Based Tourism. Community Based Tourism is a type of tourism organization based on the principles of sustainable tourism and which seeks to include the local population in the planning, implementation and evaluation of tourism activities. In this context, there is the rural community called Chã de Jardim, which is located in the city of Areia, State of Paraíba, and has been exploring the tourist activity based on the principle of community based tourism since 2006 on the coordination of the Association for Sustainable Development of the Community of Chã de Jardim (ADESCO). Thus, the present study aimed to analyze the main economic, social, environmental and cultural impacts of community based tourism in the rural community Chã de Jardim, Areia-PB. To achieve the proposed objective, this study was characterized as descriptive with a qualitative approach with complementary quantitative data, conducted in the form of a case study. It was identified from the analysis of social, economic, cultural and environmental impacts that CBT has provided local development for the population in the community of Chã de Jardim-PB. That has contributed to the valorization of local individuals, for preservation and conservation the environment, as well as for cultural preservation. It is recommended that further studies be carried out in the community, with the object of research being the feasibility of home accommodation for residents of the community, as well as their desire to offer this type of service.