Centros de atendimento aos turistas: uma comparação entre os cats de Manaus-Brasil, Mafra, Batalha-Portugal e Pisa-Itália

Abstract

The information is an input of vital importance for the accomplishment of the tourist activities in what concerns to the planning and management of the destination. Tourists search for information before making the trip, and when they arrive they need information that will help them stay and quality of the experience in the place. This need for information is related to precautions taken by visitors and also to avoid risks. Therefore, Tourist Assistance Centers - CATs, or Tourist Information Stations (PITs) are located in areas with a high tourist flow, such as airports, ports, roads, near to attractions, serving as information units that that can solve doubts facilitating the provision of the offered services and at the same time provide parameters for the Tourist Information System helping in the identification of the visitor of a municipality, state or country. In Manaus, the CATs are located at the airport, port, Adolpho Lisboa market and near the attractions of the city, in this case the Amazonas Theater. However, they could be better utilized with adequate structure, modern and that would enhance their primary function of care and information given, as well as an added value of complementary attractiveness. This suggestion is based on the visits and experiences acquired in the PITs of Europe, where in Portugal, for example, some of these posts offer art or photography exhibitions, serving as an attraction that can attract even more visitors. In this way, the CATs of Manaus-Amazonas can be better utilized, maintaining its original function and expanding to new possibilities, that is, offering information to visitors and residents with internet, helping the tourist stay as well as planning the tourist destination.