Challenges of educational tourism in the Vale do Catimbau National Park (PE, Brazil)

Abstract

Pedagogical tourism emerges as one of the most important activities within the tourism segment, as it is configured as a valuable tool in the teaching-learning process. However, the development of this activity requires not only local potential, but good infrastructure, prior planning and qualified professionals, to maximize gains. Given this, the objective of this research is to identify the challenges faced by teachers and tourism guides for the development of educational tourism in the Vale do Catimbau National Park, located in Pernambuco State. The research is characterized as being qualitative, with data collection through remote interviews with guides and teachers, who carried out activities in the Park, before the pandemic. The results obtained indicated that among the challenges for the development of educational tourism in the region are the lack of infrastructure in the park and its surroundings, the lack of knowledge of guides about the park's educational potential and the need for improvements in park management. Most interviewees reported that the development of educational tourism in the Catimbau Valley has great potential. The great diversity of natural landscapes, archaeological sites, fauna and flora characteristic of the caatinga, associated with the historical and cultural richness, makes the region a favourable location for educational tourism.