Tourism and public insecurity: what are its roots?

Abstract

Purpose Studies examining public insecurity and tourism tend to develop their research from the tourist's perspective, thereby focusing on its consequences, which insufficiently and poorly contribute to the development process. With that in mind, the purpose of this study is to discuss the root causes of public insecurity and the urban development process surrounding tourism dynamics in Brazil's northeast region. Design/methodology/approach The complexity method was used to collect both documentary and normative data to understand the reality beyond the data on accommodations and vertical real estate developments over time. These data were organized in ArcGIS (version 10.5) and are discussed within the context of urban development, public insecurity and tourism theories. Findings The results of this study demonstrate that the relationship between tourism and public insecurity is rooted in discussions surrounding the urban development process, remodeled by the physical and symbolic dimensions surrounding the production of space. Nevertheless, the symbolism of tourism is not a constant when it comes to socio-spatial changes but rather acts as a physical and secondary dynamic throughout the entire reconfiguration process. Originality/value The findings of this study indicate that this study can be used for the elaboration of security policies in tourist destinations in Latin America that present high levels of violence, considering the discourses at implementing urban legislation.

Guest editorial: IJTC regional review series: People’s Republic of China and Latin America

“…The second article explores the roots of public insecurity in the Ponta Negra neighborhood of Natal, the capital of the state of Rio Grande do Norte in northeast Brazil, from the perspective of urban planning and development. Coutinho & Nóbrega (2023) analyzed historical urban development processes and policies, illustrating how urban planning can unintentionally contribute to touristification, environmental degradation and public insecurity through exclusion and segregation. In the third article, De Souza Brogni et al (2023) explored the relationship between urban religious visitor motivations and satisfaction in the Catholic setting of Vale das Graças, in the state of Santa Catarina.…”