Desenvolvimento local e novas ruralidades: representações do turismo rural no município de Areia/PB

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze the representations and territorial dynamics experienced in Areia, located in the State of Paraiba, opposite the new settings of the rural and the emergence of tourism as an alternative activity for local development. One of the guiding principles of the approach with regard to the influences that representation has on the different social actors against the emergence of a "new rurality" that is characterized by cultural, economic and social dynamics. It mobilizes logics that reinforce permanence and continuities and also favors transformation process and maintains conditions of subjection. In this scenario is highlighted the presence of non-agricultural activities on properties whose tradition was agriculture, specifically the monoculture of sugarcane, typical situation of mills that manufactures honey and molasses. Whose expressiveness exceeds the economic importance of these mills as social and cultural references, but also of exploration, concentration and exploitation of hundreds families. Driven by SEBRAE and the Departments of Culture and Tourism of Areia, the landowners realized the old mills as a potential force for tourism. With the possibility of incorporating the mills and surrounding areas to tourism, they began to appear as one of the main attractions of the town. It encourages developments such as: restaurants, nature trails, craft houses, among others. In this sense, social actors before invisible (as locals and landless rural workers with no rights), have expanded their scope from the demands generated by tourism in the construction of the new rurality. To conduct the study, analysis and reflections it was made the use of a set of research techniques including semi-structured interviews, photo documentation and direct observation, among others. It was found by the study that are several gaps that prevent putting the rural population of Areia within the tourism system, being the embrittlement of its receptive system, the modest structure of local establishments and insufficient participation of government in improving infrastructure some of the main obstacles to stimulating the activity.