Rural tourism in Blumenau (SC): prospects and challenges from the evaluation families hosting visitors in their homes

Abstract

The changes in recent years have established a lot of challenges for rural development, leading to the use of different approaches for the promotion of these spaces. The employ of different strategies produced the creation of new opportunities for income generation arising from the incentive for non-agricultural activities, including the tourism. The promoting of the Caminhada Cultural e Ecológica da Vila Itoupava appears as a first experience which the municipality of Blumenau (SC) sponsored in the sector. The initiative is the object of the study in this research. The work examines how the residents who host visitors into their homes evaluate their participation in the event. The interviews with families indicate a high level of satisfaction with the activity, especially for the opportunity that it provides for the promotion of new life experiences, the strengthening of social relations and the appreciation of cultural and natural diversity.