Turismo em Terras Indígenas: uma análise sobre os marcos legais e seus impactos nas experiências implementadas no Alto Rio Negro

Abstract

The research had as general objective to analyze the processes of implementation of tourist activities, in accordance with the legislation in force, carried out in the indigenous lands (ILs) in Amazonas, in particular in the Alto Rio Negro region and, as specific objectives, - to identify the historical background of tourism in the Upper Rio Negro ILs. Check the tourism experiences in Upper Rio Negro, their characteristics and the “social agents of tourism” that participate in them. The research had a bibliographic and documentary character, with data being collected in: articles, dissertations and theses with themes of the study in focus; official documents produced by indigenous associations and institutions involved in tourist activities in the ILs; and on the social networks of indigenous communities and their partners in tourism projects. According to the data, the legalization of tourism is seen by the indigenous people as a great achievement, as it provided autonomy and protagonism in the activities carried out in their territories; after legalization, tourism started to be understood as an alternative for income, as well as a mechanism for the protection of territories combined with the promotion of culture, which are the reasons for adopting the activity in the Upper Rio Negro. Through the research, the social agents of tourism were also identified, constituted by the indigenous peoples and their associations, by the institutional partners (NGOs) of the indigenous peoples and by the companies that operate in the experiences, which have roles defined according to what the communities preach and the guidelines of FUNAI Normative Instruction 003. A chapter was included on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic in Alto Rio Negro and the prospects for the resumption of tourism activity considering the biosafety protocols that should be implemented.