De(Centralization) of Brazilian tourism public management: Analysis of the involvement of private actors in the National Tourism Council

Abstract

This study analyses the participation of private actors in the process of establishing tourism policy, through the discussions conducted during the National Tourism Council meetings from 2003 to 2008. The study was performed based on a cross sectional and longitudinal perspective, together with case study methodology, allowing the application of network theory and the social network analysis model in a qualitative approach. Throughout this research, it was found that the involvement of councillors in setting government agenda and in developing a National Tourism Policy takes place simultaneously, but not symmetrically. Councillors participate through their initiatives/discussions in meetings, as well as their possession of economic and organisational resources. In addition, although the process of establishing the National Tourism Plans has been the result of a complex network of public and private actors, the National Tourism Council is mostly functioning through the active participation of private actors.