Fonte: Journal of Tourism & Development; v. 3, n. 17/18 (2012); 1335-1345
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Resumo: The use of rural tourism has increased significantly, resulting primarily from new socioeconomic reproductions and deployment of pluriactivity in the field. Despite evidence of improved quality of life, self-esteem, appreciation of culture and the environment, a main concern for the management of tourism is the generation and destination of solid wastes in rural areas. Thus, the study aims to analyze the actions of entrepreneurs and government in the management of solid residues produced in the tourist route that compose the German Route (RS) in southern of Brazil. Therefore, it seeks to identify the necessity of an efficient environmental management for the properties, identify which rural properties invest in sanitation, as well as diagnose the reality of the environmental performance of tourism entrepreneurs in rural areas. The study is qualitative and quantitative and includes a descriptive and an exploratory phase. The research is a case study and data collection was from semi-structured interviews to RS rural landowners. As a result, it was found that very few rural properties have invested in sanitation. Finally, it identifies the need for implementation of local awareness.