THE ROLES OF GOVERNANCE AND PARTICIPATORY MANAGEMENT IN BRAZILIAN TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

OS PAPÉIS DA GOVERNANÇA E DA GESTÃO PARTICIPATIVA NO DESENVOLVIMENTO DO TURISMO BRASILEIRO

LOS ROLES DE LA GOBERNANZA Y LA GESTIÓN PARTICIPATIVA EN EL DESARROLLO DEL TURISMO BRASILEÑO

Abstract:

Purpose -  This work aims to demonstrate the significant contribution of governance and participatory management, along with their associated benefits, to the tourism development of Urubici, a city in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, during the years 2021 and 2022.

Design/methodology/approach -  The research adopts a qualitative, bibliographical approach involving the review of scientific papers and books that discuss governance and participatory management. The research is documentary, exploratory and empirical, drawn from secondary data, collected from minutes of meetings of the Municipal Tourism Council (COMTUR) and activity reports issued by the Secretariat for Industry, Commerce and Tourism (SETUR), the Municipal Tourism Plan (2021), the Sustainable Tourism Initiative Plan of Urubici (PLATS, 2013-2023), and participatory observation.

Findings -  The original contribution of this article is in the role of articulation and mobilization played by the actors involved in the municipality’s tourism development. Many of these stakeholders represent various public and private entities, exerting influence on communities and thereby making collaborative decision-making a complex endeavor.

Practical implications -  Practical implications have emerged with the implementation of active tourism governance in Urubici, which has facilitated an innovative and participatory management approach that supports local entrepreneurship and promotes professional training in the sector.

Originality/value -  The main findings of this work reveal that the actions implemented through participatory management are aligned with both the Municipal Tourism Plan and the Urubici Sustainable Tourism Initiative Plan, highlighting the role of participatory management in creating the governance model. The conclusions of the study are context-specific.

Research limitations -  The limitations of the research are the small volume of up-to-date information available in the municipality. This is a common challenge in small municipalities and hinders the expansion of governance initiatives. It is worth considering that the plans focus mainly on short-term forecasts, but it is recommended that studies be conducted involving state-level plans and incorporating long-term projections and regular reassessments.