Resumo

PAULA, Tauana Macedo de  e  MECCA, Marlei Salete. MEANINGS ATTRIBUTED TO THE TOURIST SOUVENIR, BY VISITORS TO THE “MARIA FUMAÇA” TRAIN RIDE, BENTO GONÇALVES STATION/RS. Tur., Visão e Ação [online]. 2016, vol.18, n.2, pp.378-404. ISSN 1983-7151.  http://dx.doi.org/10.14210/rtva.v18n2.p378-404.

The souvenir is a predominant item in tourist destinations. The theory studied indicates that these items can serve to evoke tourists’ memories when they return home; it can also act as a promotional tool of the destination, as well as making the experience more tangible. The authors point out that, generally, tourists look for small souvenirs with low monetary value. However, through the different profiles of tourists and contemporary features, it is worth asking what the souvenir really means for these tourists. The aim of this research is to compare what the theory says about souvenirs, with the tourists’ perceptions of souvenirs. Methodologically, this case study is characterized as exploratory, with a qualitative approach. For the data collection, questionnaires were applied, relating to the “Maria Fumaça” train ride at Bento Gonçalves station/RS. Among the main results, some of the characteristics of tourists who visit this attraction were identified; it was also noted that tourists want to find products that characterize the region, which will later become memory resources, confirming the theories investigated. The main demystification of this research indicated that these tourists are willing to pay more for a characteristic product of the Serra Gaucha.

Palavras-chave : Contemporary souvenir; Tourist; “Maria Fumaça” – Bento Gonçalves station / RS.

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