Tourism, Heritage and Socio-Spatial Historical Cities Transformations. The case of Paraty

Paraty, Brazil's historic coastal city, exemplifies the dual-edged impact of tourism on heritage sites. Since its designation as a National Monument in 1966 and improved accessibility, Paraty has experienced significant socio-spatial transformations driven by tourism. While initial phases show economic growth through cultural commodification—aligning with David Harvey’s theories on monopolistic renda—the unchecked exploitation of historical assets risks long-term devaluation. This study employs interdisciplinary methods from geography, sociology, urbanism, and tourism to analyze how Paraty's heritage, leveraged as a tourist attraction, can either sustain or erode its economic and cultural appeal over time.

Padilha, M. d. N. (2016). Tourism, Heritage and Socio-Spatial Historical Cities Transformations. The case of Paraty. Revista Rosa Dos Ventos - Turismo E Hospitalidade, 8(4), 435–450. https://doi.org/10.18226/21789061.v8i4p435