What is it about?
This study shows how Indigenous and quilombola communities in Brazil planned and created tourism experiences together with researchers and public institutions. Using Participatory Action Research, the project helped communities design tourism that reflects their own culture, values, and traditions. The research resulted in a practical four-phase model that strengthens community leadership and supports sustainable, inclusive tourism.
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Photo by Ivars Utināns on Unsplash
Why is it important?
Tourism can bring both opportunities and risks for traditional peoples. Our work is important because it offers a respectful way to develop tourism with communities, not for them. It shows that collaboration, local knowledge, and cultural pride can create tourism that protects heritage, generates income, and empowers local voices. The study also helps public policies become more inclusive and effective.
Perspectives
Working on this article was a deeply rewarding experience. Each coauthor contributed unique perspectives—social, behavioral, economic, and cultural—that enriched the project. Collaborating with Indigenous and quilombola communities allowed us to learn about the richness of their histories and daily lives. The encounters with people from different backgrounds reminded us of the power of collaboration and the value of alterity. Above all, this research helped us better understand Brazil through its diversity and resilience.
Eduardo Sant Anna
Universidade de Sao Paulo Campus da Capital
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Community-Centered Tourism Planning with Traditional Peoples in Brazil: Methodological Insights from Participatory Action Research, Tourism Planning & Development, October 2025, Taylor & Francis,
DOI: 10.1080/21568316.2025.2558673.
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