GIS and touristic itineraries. The case of São Cristóvão, Sergipe, Brazil

Abstract

The Information Systems (IS) and the Internet have transformed the relations between individuals and social groups. They associated new dimensions to the tourist practices. In this study, the possibilities of use of the GIS/WebGIS by planners and managers of tourist activity, and by the end users of tourist products: tourists were highlighted. This study aims to present a methodological proposal for implementation of Geographic Information System (GIS) for the development of tourist itineraries in accordance with the tourist demand. The tourists can obtain and use specific geographic information before and during their stay at the destination. To develop the itineraries, it was drawn up the inventory of local tourist attractions, as well as the goods and services classification in the surroundings of each attraction. Subsequently, photos and textual information were added to define linear circuits used as a reference for visitor’s tours. With the itineraries publication and their use anchored in explorers (Google Maps, Open Street Maps or Waze), one hopes the procedures and techniques of support based on GIS are executed by tourist destinations, in interactive websites format and/or applications format updated by local managers. And GIS can be consolidated as a basic tool for decision-making, providing a better control of spatial concepts, expanding and intensifying the tourist experiences.