Tourism and local development in the Trilha Rupestre (MS, Brazil): articulations for the viability of a geopark in the tourist regions Campo Grande dos Ipês and Cerrado Pantanal

Abstract

The municipalities of the Campo Grande dos Ipês and Cerrado  Pantanal Tourist Regions, located in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, concentrate archaeological sites, geosites, and natural landscapes with potential for the establishment of a UNESCO Global Geopark. These areas are part of the Trilha Rupestre Institutional Programme, coordinated by the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), which promotes actions aimed at the valorisation of cultural and natural heritage, heritage education, and sustainable tourism. Based on this rationale, a mixed-methods study was conducted, grounded in the analysis of secondary data from official sources (IBGE, RAIS, SNIS, Cadastur, among others) and the collection of information on public policies, tourism planning, infrastructure, and socio-economic indicators across 16 municipalities. The variables considered included inclusion in the Brazilian Tourism Map, the existence of municipal tourism plans, Tourism Councils and Funds, number of enterprises registered with Cadastur, conservation units, and sites recognised by IPHAN. The results reveal institutional and structural disparities among the municipalities. The Cerrado Pantanal Region presents a higher concentration of geosites, experience with intermunicipal cooperation, and more favourable conditions for an initial Geopark application. The municipalities in the Campo Grande dos Ipês Region, in turn, show partial engagement with tourism public policies. Notably, Campo Grande, Rio Negro, and Jaraguari are the only municipalities included in the Brazilian Tourism Map, and the region concentrates important archaeological sites and natural formations with potential for tourism development and heritage-based initiatives. The implementation of a Geopark in this context requires coordinated efforts between universities, public authorities, and local communities, with heritage education playing a key role in fostering belonging and active preservation. Based on the data analysed, it was concluded that the initial feasibility for Geopark implementation is more evident in the Cerrado Pantanal Region, which demonstrates more favourable technical and institutional conditions.