Geographical indication and tourism: (re)signifying filé embroidery in the Mundaú-Manguaba lagoons region, Alagoas

Abstract

Filet embroidery is a craft activity, a symbol of the state of Alagoas, which in 2016 received the Geographical Indication (GI) that proves how the production is closely linked to the territory composed of six municipalities formed by the lagoon complex of the Mundaú and Manguaba lagoons with strong tourism potential. The objective of the work was to analyze the importance of tourism in this region in promoting the filet embroidery activity after the approval of the GI. The methodology consists of a bibliographic and documentary review, semi-structured interviews (22), online forms (63) and secondary data on GIs in Brazil. The country has the potential to explore GIs through tourism, mainly through cultural, gastronomic and wine tourism. The relationship between tourism and the Mundaú-Manguaba Region GI in the filé embroidery association is in the use of existing facilities (hotels, inns, restaurants and travel agencies) or designed facilities that attract cultural and gastronomic tourists. The concentration of these structures in the Pontal da Barra neighborhood in Maceió ensures the formation of a specialized, concentrated place, easily accessible to tourists, with the use of social networks as a potentializer. Thus, the relationship between filé embroidery and tourism is complementary, however, for commercialization, it is essential due to consumption by tourists.