TOURISM PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THE TOURIST REGIONS OF BELÉM AND CAMPOS DO MARAJÓ

Abstract

The pandemic situation in countless regions of the planet had significant impacts on the world tourism activity. The present article addresses this issue based on the cases of two tourist regions: the Tourist Region of Belém and the Tourist Region of Campos do Marajó. It aims to analyze the tourism planning and management carried out through the implementation of sanitary measures, social distancing and other policies aimed at mitigating the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, and their applicability in the realities of the municipalities of Belém, Soure and Salvaterra. A qualitative research study was conducted, using data collected through a bibliographical review and a documentary research on the management instruments created in 2020, both at the federal and at the state and municipal levels of government. A documentary analysis of the laws, plans and decrees made by the federal government and the municipalities of Belém, Soure and Salvaterra with the aim of mitigating the socioeconomic impacts of covid-19 in tourist activies. Finally, recorded semi-structured interviews were done, via the Google Meet platform, both with government representatives involved in the planning and management of the tourist regions of Belém and Campos do Marajó; and with representatives of Civil Society Organizations, mainly those linked to the market. Based on the analysis of the sanitary measures aimed at restricting the movement of people and transportation; on the interviews with representatives of tourist trade organizations and state and municipal government agencies; and on the analysis of the main strategies designed for the post-pandemic period, the article concludes that the pandemic had a significant impact on the tourism sector during the year 2020.