Advisor: Marcelo Motta
Dissertation: The value of the place: the tourist experience in Ametista do Sul/RS and Irai/RS
Defense date: 15/02/2022
Abstract
The word “place” refers to something more than a physical position, it is
linked to identity, relational and historical aspects, influencing the experiences of
individuals, including the tourist scope. This thesis addresses the experience, the
theme of the experience of tourists and the value of the place is addressed,
considering as an object of study, the experience of the place mediated by the
touristic activity associated with biodiversity and geodiversity. The main objective
is to highlight the importance of the place value in the tourist experience, focusing
on ecotourism and geotourism in the selected municipalities in the northwest of the
State of Rio Grande do Sul. As case studies, the Amethyst Park Museum and the
Osvaldo Cruz Spa were adopted, located in the cities of Ametista do Sul and Iraí,
respectively. The former being characterized by precious stones and the latter by
mineral and thermal water sources. Thus, questions are made, such as: how does
the place influence the experience of tourists? What is the relationship of this
experience with the typology of tourism? How are characterized the social relations
and public policies existing in the cities chosen for the study? To answer these
questions, the research uses qualitative methodological procedures, through
bibliographical review, photographs, observations, semi-structured interviews,
mappings and analysis of concepts, containing as main: tourism, place and
experience. The obtained results, through interviews made with the secretaries of
tourism, managers of tourist attractions, businessmen, residents and tourists,
highlighted the importance of the place value and its relationship with the tourist
experience.