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Abstract
This article reflects on the origins and development of social tourism in Brazil, with particular reference to the socio-economic conditions in the country. It discusses the theoretical conceptualisation of social tourism and its implementations in the non-European context. The case study presented here is based on a secondary bibliographical research of existing definitions and an in-depth analysis of the political conditions that have framed its development. More particularly, this article will discuss public initiatives since the Labour Party gained power in Brazil in 2003. Apart from public sector involvement in social tourism, this article also examines the role of the third sector in provision. The example of Social Service of Commerce will be presented. This article will conclude by evaluating the phenomenon of social tourism in Brazil, highlighting where progress has been made and which are the key challenges that need to be overcome.
Notes
The most important public body of Brazilian tourism up to 2003 when the MTur was established (which this organisation is reporting to). EMBRATUR had its denomination changed into Instituto Brasileiro de Turismo (Brazilian Institute of Tourism) in 1991; but the acronym remains.
A figure that expresses the inequality of wealth distribution in Brazil.
Annulled by Legal Deliberation number 280, from 11 July 1990.
Although the source is not clear about social tourism, it is not difficult to notice which kinds of public it meant to reach (children, young people and seniors). And they easily fit into this segment.
It was created in 2003, during the first command of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
According to the MTur, this segment represents at least nine million people who can travel. The original name in Portuguese is: Viaja Mais Melhor Idade.
These organisations are part of what is commonly called the ‘S’ system, which includes the representative bodies of the industry (SESI and SENAI), commerce and services (SESC and SENAC), agriculture (SENAR), transportation (SEST and SENAT), and from the micro and the small company (SEBRAE).