Proposal for adaptation of the typology and identification of the biophysical components of natural attractions in ecotourism destinations of Brazil

Abstract

In the context of the relationship between tourism and natural areas, and more specifically, tourism demand in relation to nature and the resources offered by it, capable of attracting human interest in learning more about, having direct contact with, and enjoying nature, this article addresses the typology of the natural resources and associated attractions in the ecotourism destinations of Brazil, with emphasis on their biophysical components. This work uses a mainly qualitative approach, focusing on a sample of tourism operators in the area of nature and ecotourism in Brazil. The content analysis of the compiled, systematized data resulted, primarily, in the presentation of a table summarizing the typology of the natural resources and the activities that take place in forty-five nature and ecotourism destinations, identified as those with the largest offer and with national representativeness. It then proposes a table for the classification of the category natural attractions, with a typology associated with the relevant characteristics that have specific application for registering the tourism attractions in nature. Finally, it presents a proposal for the identification and description of the natural components of ecotourism destinations, based on a model of visual composition of the landscape, which is exemplified in three favourite destinations of this segment. The results obtained express the possibility of making use of the ordering and systematization of information on the natural attractions and related activities, to achieve a better standard of presentation and description of the “raw material” of ecotourism agencies and operators and better meet the needs for quality and differentiation required for this segment. For academics, it can provide a methodological contribution to teaching and research on the subject.