Tourism and the natural environment of the microregion form Blumenau (SC): finally, what is the reality?

Abstract

The natural environment is a major tourist attraction, so that contact with nature motivates the increasing demand in the tourism scenario. However, promote tourism supported by the premises of sustainability is an effort that the microregion from Blumenau (SC), object of this study, has been facing. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate, in reading about sustainability, as the main movements, practices and perceptions of the organizations of the microregion from Blumenau (SC) occur, around the development of tourism and its relationship with the natural environment. It was adopted a qualitative-quantitative study with exploratory and descriptive methodologies. The results show that this region has potential for development of tourism practiced in natural environments. But the commitment to the dimensions that support the sustainability was little observed on existing initiatives, which focus only in the economic gain or only in the conservation and a little in tourism development. Environmental and sustainability issues are seen only in the context of intentions and speeches.