The ethnomethodological analysis of tourism as an organizing practice in a waterfront of Northeast Brazil

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the organizational processes of tourism as a practice in the João Pessoa/PB (Brazil) waterfront from an ethnomethodological point of view. The ethnomethodology was also the method used for empirical research. Indeed, there were visits to the waterfront, from which observations, informal conversations, field notes and interviews were made. Data were analyzed based on the theoretical framework as well as the guiding questions of the five key concepts of Garfinkilian ethnomethodology. As a result, there are several events that make up the tourism such as an expression of the waterfront. Tourism does not occur in isolation in different places, but imbricated and carries a series of relationships, symbols, values and social rules that are uttered through generations causing a given space can be considered touristic. Tourism becomes a central element in the organization of tourist space, i.e, it is that justifies and underpins the organizational processes carried out by social groups in warterfront. In conclusion, as field practices, the waterfront is a complex space due to its social, economic and environmental importance, where multiple interests and uses, guided by tourism, are daily present and demonstrate the complexity and importance of this space.

Keywords
Tourism as practice; Social practice.; Organizing; Waterfront; Ethnomethodology