O PAPEL DO ESTADO E DAS POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS NA DEFINIÇÃO DO ESPAÇO TURÍSTICO: um estudo de caso do município de Portalegre-RN

Abstract

This paper aims at spotting the State’s role in the definition of the touristic space, considering the town of Portalegre-RN as a case study, where we verify actions developed by the local government aiming to integrate touristic activities to the productive system of the town. So, besides the usage of documental and bibliographic researches, we analyzed data coming from a field research implemented in February/2009 within 87 local stablishments favored by the activity of tourism. As a research outcome, we verified that the State’s action – through the investments in infra-structure, tax incentives, tourism planning – is indispensable for this activity ́s development. Considering this point of view, we conclude that in the town of Portalegre tourism has been implemented before proper planning and with the support of public power. It has contributed to the dynamism of the economy, characterizing itself as a local development factor.

Keywords

• state
• public policies
• planning and local development