ACCESSIBILITY AS A POLITICAL AGENDA: ANALYSIS OF THE TRAJECTORY OF TOURISM POLICIES IN BRAZIL

ANÁLISE DA TRAJETÓRIA DAS POLÍTICAS DE TURISMO NO BRASIL

Abstract

The accessible tourism has been promoted both by the consumption potential of the population with disabilities and reduced mobility and by the ethical and legal commitment that has expanded the rights guaranteed to these subjects. On the other hand, people with disabilities and reduced mobility still face several barriers in their travel experiences. In this scenario, public policies play a guiding role in the debate and design of strategies that encourage the promotion of accessibility in tourism. This text analyzes the trajectory of tourism policies in Brazil, seeking to answer how a political agenda for accessibility was formed in the Brazilian tourist context. The research is a descriptive survey and aims to identify the main political mechanisms, such as policies, programs, projects and other actions aimed at accessible tourism in Brazil. Based on the content, objectives and priority actions present in official documents, the trajectory of Brazilian tourism policies was organized into four phases. This study identifies a gradual maturation of tourism policies in the field of accessibility, which initially allowed a process of institutionalization of the topic and, subsequently, better articulation between actions based on an integrated policy for accessible tourism. In turn, the most recent policies tend to emphasize the parameters to structure and evaluate products, services and destinations of accessible tourism. The analysis of the trajectory of accessible tourism policies contributes to evaluating the results achieved by the initiatives, in addition it can guide the design of new policies in the Brazilian context.