Residents’ perception in the city of Rio de Janeiro about Rio2016 Games on pre-Olympics’ period: accumulated acknowledgement for planning and public policies of the destination

Abstract

Although tourism nowadays is one of the most important economic activities worldwide, there are still several groups in our society which face considerable constraints that prevent “tourism for all” to be a universal desire. Families with children with disabilities are one of these groups This paper intends to analyze the constraints to the practice of tourist activities of these families and the benefits obtained from these practices. A qualitative study using interviews with a group of Portuguese families with children with disabilities was carried out to analyze the tourist practices of these families, the benefits derived from these practices and the most significant constraints that they face to achieve family tourism. For some of these families, the results show that tourism is still only a dream. Economic factors, the lack of accessibility of tourism destinations and the lack of qualified staff in the tourism industry are the main constraints faced by these families when they practice family tourism. However, when it is possible to carry out family tourist activities, the benefits obtained are high, not only for the family’s well-being but also for children with disabilities, helping them to overcome certain challenges. The article ends with some guidelines to promote the practice of family tourist activities in the case of families with children with disabilities.Between 2014 and 2016, the city of Rio de Janeiro hosted two major world sporting mega events - the World Cup and the Olympics - generating several changes in the city. With this, an accumulated knowledge has been accumulated in the accomplishment of mega-events that can and should serve as memory for the process of capturing the upcoming events as well as for the planning of public politics in the host city. In the different phases of the event, the resident is an important actor who must be heard and should participate. This study aims to analyze the perception of residents in the city of Rio de Janeiro in the pre-Olympic period. Therefore, a quantitative survey was conducted face to face, with a sample of 404 residents of the city of Rio de Janeiro, exactly one year before the Olympic Games. The data indicate that the period prior to completion of the mega event was very troubled, due to the doubts and uncertainties regarding the possible legacy. In fact, the population suffered impacts in their routine, either by transit or by various news media that generated expectation and apprehension in the different sectors of society. However, in the perception of the resident, it is evident the expectation of the legacy on tourism, destination visibility and in long lasting improvements for tourism and sport.