Cabaceiras: the tourist city of Paraíba in Brazil

Abstract

Tourism is also a field where are cloaked myths and contradictions. On the one hand there are reinforcements in critical chain of who realize exist, this activity, economic domination and submission relationships of local cultures to the dictates of the market. Are those that make us question whether tourism is, in fact, promoter of the development of a region. On the other hand is generous, and growing, the list of supporters that this drives the generation of jobs and income, enabling social mobility and, consequently, improve the well-being of populations. This article reveals the results of a descriptive research, which examined through a case study, the impact on economy and culture of Cabaceiras, located inside the Paraíba, after deploying the Cultural historic tourism project in the Cariri Paraibano (THCCP), developed by Sebrae. From a search bibliography presents some critical theories of positivist thought and development of tourism, disproving them with opposing views. The reading will be complemented with descriptions and analyses, informed in view of the actors of the place of research, of changes regarding the generation of employment and income, seasonal tourism, valuing local culture and tourism infrastructure. The survey revealed a positive evaluation of the project THCCP how to diagnose and pinpoint opportunities focused on the improvement of tourist activity. However, it was lacking in a more permanent management, capable of ensuring a better training about the local culture and the presence of the whole population in the search for an equitable development and socially fairer.