GEOGRAPHICAL APPROACH TO THE TOURISTIFICATION AND TERRITORIALIZATION PROCESSES IN THE DISTRICTS OF LAVRAS NOVAS AND SÃO BARTOLOMEU, OURO PRETO-MG

Abstract

This research investigates the complex interaction between tourism, heritage, and territory, using the districts of Lavras Novas (LN) and São Bartolomeu (SB) in Ouro Preto-MG as case studies. It specifically explores the processes of touristicification and territorialization. Primary and secondary sources are utilised. Discursive Textual Analysis, grounded on Critical Geography principles and the dialectical technique, serves as an interpretive resource. The districts of LN and SB exhibit regional tourism demand, where cultural heritage plays a more significant role in SB, aligning tourism practices more closely with rural life. In contrast, LN adopts tourism practices that diverge from local traditions and values. In SB, local territorialities prevail, whereas LN experiences significant territorialization by external agents, leading to the des(re)territorialization of the local population. It is essential to develop a public policy agenda for tourism that enhances the diversity of tourist demand within the municipality for these districts. The local government is expected to implement participatory governance methodologies as a fundamental component of tourism development, establishing more inclusive and participatory frameworks for territorial management. The goal is to create territorial bases where tourism harmonizes with heritage conservation, ensuring that local communities are genuinely included and benefit from these initiatives.