VIII Congreso Brasilero de Ecoturismo -2011

Ecotourism in Brazil presents a unique situation, being an activity which has been growing since the 80's and has been almost entirely been built from the consumer market internal movement. Apparently, it differs from many emerging or third world other countries in relation to this growing, since it does not focus its products to foreign markets. Despite the fact that ecotourism activities are heavily spread in several parts of the country, very little is published in English or Spanish about Brazilian Ecotourism activities, even though we count on a considerable amount of research production. The internal development of the activity and its own demand established little dialogue with international literature, resulting in restrict information and experiences interchange with other countries.

The great lack of disclosure in other languages towards the foreign market can be easily and quickly identified on an internet search for Brazilian Ecotourism tours with English or Spanish content. On the Brazilian Academic production on the theme, there are a dozen scientific journals that publish articles, but all in Portuguese. Thus, there is a necessity of expanding communication between Brazilian ecotourism agents, both on technical and scientific interchange and entrepreneurs, their initiatives and partnerships.

One initiative is to forward this invitation to researchers, students and Ecotourism professionals from other South American countries so that they can join us present their experiences and researches on the next 2011 Brazilian Ecotourism Congress.
It has proved to be an event growing in audience as well as in production over the years. In 2005, 79 papers were presented. In 2007, an audience of 562 people, 64 complete papers and 242 abstracts, and , in 2009, 192 papers were presented.

It is the conference objective to set new directions for Ecotourism is Brazil, to explore the great natural, social and cultural potential and to expand international exchange in order to spread the dialogue about ecotourism.