Use of Culture and Heritage to Enhance the Tourist Supply:

Essay about Long-Distance Trails and Hikes, with the Cases of Caminho de Sabarabuçu (Brazil) and Hadrian’s Wall Path (England)

Abstract

We study long-distance trails implemented in United Kingdom and Brazil. We aim to list, comment and discuss the principal elements of its creation, promotion and maintenance. The elements addressed are the following: i) access, accommodation, food and beverage and specialized companies; ii) preservation and signaling, heritage interpretation and infrastructure; and iii) tourist seasonality and festivals and events. The article has, in part, a normative nature; we consider the creation of long-distance trails is a good alternative for several Brazilian cities and regions. We highlight four points: (1) these trails allow the development of leisure and tourism in places that, otherwise, would remain the destination of a small bunch of enthusiasts; (2) it is not enough to implement the trail; it is necessary to preserve and maintain it – this is not occurring in Brazilian cases; (3) the long-distance trails should be promoted with elements that enhance its tourist appeal, such as festivals and heritage centers; (4) cultural and natural heritage are important, but many tourists and visitors are motivated to see and enjoy elements that are seen as banal by the local people, such as sheep grazing in the fields.

Keywords: Cultural Tourism; Long-Distance Trails; Constitutional; United Kingdom; Brazil.