O turismo rural e as reconfigurações territoriais em questão: a força da identidade cultural para o desenvolvimento nas montanhas capixabas

Abstract

This paper analyzes the territory reconfiguration process based on the analysis of the socio-cultural experiences which occur in it. A cultural perspective of the territory is adopted considering it as a form of human settlement which brings in itself the identity of its inhabitants. We observed in such territories a virtuous cycle which seemed to be associated with the approach dynamics of the labor, products, and services market between city and countryside in which they manifest. Rural tourism was one of the activities that stood out in economic dynamics observed in these small municipalities. This study aimed at describing and analyzing the changes which rural tourism brings to the lifestyles of the populations involved. The survey was conducted during the year of 2012 in the municipalities of Domingos Martins and Venda Nova do Imigrante, in the State of Espírito Santo, Brazil. The data obtained via eightyeight (88) questionnaires were analyzed by quantitative and qualitative approach. For the statistical analyses, we used the SPSS 20.0 software. For the data description, exploratory data analysis (EDA) and hypothesis testing were used, adopting a significance level of 5%. Results showed many aspects of changes in the lifestyles of the families involved with rural tourism. However, this process was not established homogeneously among social groups and individuals. Significant differences were observed, particularly due to agricultural trajectory preceding or not tourist activity.