How tourists perceive the attributes of tourist attractions in Bonito/MS, Brazil? An analysis based on comments published on TripAdvisor

Abstract:

Based on the increasing tendency of tourists to share their perceptions on the internet, this article analyzes the main attributes valued by tourists who published their comments on the website TripAdvisor, in relation to the tourist attractions visited in the town of Bonito, an important ecotourism destination not only at state but also at national level. Qualitative research was conducted, with critical sampling based on principles of netnography. The study used 360 comments taken from the website TripAdvisor, relating to the 26 attractions listed as "the main attractions" of the region. In summary, the main aspects valued by the tourists were: the general characteristics of tourist attractions, with a focus on the "tourist practices" that can be carried out in the destination; details of the service provided by the enterprises of the tourism trade in the destination; characteristics of the food services offered in the tourist destination; and the specificities of the territory in which the tourist attractions are located.

Key-words:
Tourist behavior; Netnography; Iramuteq; Bonito/MS