“São Francisco” Celebration: analysis about an alternative of Religious Tourism development in Parnaíba (Piauí, Brazil)

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the tourist attractiveness of the São Francisco Celebration, and the theme approach is the religious tourism and how it can be developed in Parnaíba (Piauí, Brazil). The theme includes a reflection on the religious tourism segment potential, presenting a suggestion of diversification of the local tourism and by the research conducted, verify the availability of this religious event be inserted or not in the cultural guide of the city. The methodology developed was based on literature, field, and participant observation research, the data analysis was done in a qualitative way, with unstructured interviews aiming to capture the data concerning to the celebration dynamics, its history and how the people see the accomplishment of this celebration. In this analysis it was considered issues such as popular Catholicism and pilgrimage, sacred urban space, historic and cultural heritage and religious tourism. As a result, it is believed that São Francisco Religious Celebration has potential for this kind of tourism, however, it should be also worked as a tourism product, adding the issue in tourism planning and continuity of the projects which encourage the religious tourism in the city; probably this segment will result in considerable benefits to Parnaíba.