The Pastoral of Tourism and its structural ambiguity

• Grant number: 13/26562-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: July 01, 2014
• End date: June 30, 2016
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Sociology
• Principal Investigator: André Ricardo de Souza
• Grantee: Pedro Augusto Ceregatti Moreno
• Host Institution: Centro de Educação e Ciências Humanas (CECH). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 11/50458-8 - The economic and social welfare work features of Christianity in Brazil and their political derivations, AP.JP

Abstract

Recognized by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as a share of this market, religious tourism is a significant turnover and movement of people, nationally and internationally. Its expansion has been taking place in Brazil from the recognition of their earning potential. Stems from the transition from a phase in which pilgrimages and processions and management weren't managed and happened almost autonomously, for the present moment of structuring and business training its agents and services. Several factors are intertwined in the development of this market in Brazil, with the different spheres of government responsible for much of investments in the sector, supporting improvements in infrastructure and incentive programs with a focus on events and religious centers of attraction, thus enabling the improvement of network hospitality, transport connection, agencies and tour operators. Furthermore, the Catholic Church has also mobilized to manage the field, developing in the country Pastoral of Tourism initiative which aims to regulation and organization of shrines and religious spaces, staff training and action strategies that foster tourism practice in parishes with receptive potential. This initiative exposes the entrepreneurial profile of the church, while the conceptual contradiction of the term "pastoral of religious tourism", in view of the pastorals are dedicated to nonprofit activities.