Application of Q Method for valuation of Landscape Morretes, Paraná, Brazil, as allowance for tourism planning

Abstract

Due to the environmental crisis, tourism should be planned to decrease impacts on landscapes, conserving their aesthetic, ecological, geographical and cultural aspects. In this sense, the goal of the research was to apply the " Q Method" to assess and analyze the landscape of the tourist town of Morretes to provide inputs to the planning guidelines and landscape management for tourism. Thus, were selected and analyzed nine landscapes representing Morretes, which were placed in order of preference, by "Q Method", by 207 respondents (residents, tourists and professionals). The results showed that the "Q Method" was effective and that landscapes with the highest percentage of natural components were preferred, although these separate components have not been sufficient for a high valuation. This indicated that the diversity factor is decisive. The study also showed that residents, tourists and professionals have different preferences in relation to the landscape.