Práticas sustentáveis no desenvolvimento da atividade turística sustentável: Um estudo no Geoparque Seridó - Brasil

The investigation of sustainable practices and actions of the “Geopark Seridó” (GS) emerges in the discussion about sustainability based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from the 2030 Agenda of the United Nations (UN). Thus, taking into account that the search for such SDGs prevails as a global objective in favor of a better planet for present and future generations, elements and practices on geodiversity emerge, as well as geoparks as a relevant factor for achieving the 2030 Agenda. This study has the general objective of understanding the sustainable practices that contribute to the development of sustainable tourism activity of the GS, specifically considering: identifying the sustainable practices developed in the GS; analyzing sustainable practices from the perception of GS management, artisans, tour guides, and local drivers; and discussing the sustainable practices of GS in the context of sustainable tourism. The study developed has an interpretive nature, which appears as an exploratory research with a qualitative approach, and a case study as a delineation from a tourist itinerary carried out in the GS. For data collection, semi-structured interviews, collection of speeches from interviews on the internet, and bibliographic research were carried out. That being so, local actors related to the tourist activity of the studied territory were interviewed, as well as a representative of the geopark management and tourists. For data processing, the content analysis technique was used. As a result of the study, several practices, actions, and educational activities were identified, which are carried out with the aim of conserving and preserving the geological heritage of the GS through education and tourism, such as lectures for students from public and private schools; training of young guides; macro project; workshops; protection of geosites; wooden structures for tourist access; municipal laws; conceptual maps; mascots; technological applications; courses; training for guides; environmental education signs; educational trails; events; geoproducts; women's association; guides to sensitize tourists; and partnerships with tourism companies. It was found that these are sustainable practices and actions that aim to involve the community in the sense of belonging to the GS, where tourism is related, as well as those practices that insert the community directly with the tourist activity. It was evidenced that the relationship of local actors with tourism is based on environmental education in order to contribute to the sustainable development of the GS territory from the tourist experiences with geoproducts, that said, it contributes to the GS tourist activity being guided by the human development of tourists who experience what the territory offers, facilitating new learning and behavior change.