Psychosocial impaqcts of Covid-19 on tourism in an amazon riveriune community

Abstract

The riverine Saracá community, located in the Rio Negro Sustainable Development Reserve, Amazonas, Brazil, had its population infected by the COVID-19 pandemic, impacting community life and Community-Based Tourism. Taking the theoretical-methodological perspectives of Community Social Psychology, we aim to analyze the psychosocial impacts of COVID-19 in the Saracá community and local tourism. We carried out qualitative research, with semi-structured interviews with 4 key participants and content analysis, which resulted in five categories: life before the pandemic; arrival of COVID-19; necro-coexistence; impacts and confrontations; consequences and new normal. We discussed that, despite the death of the leadership and distinct difficulties, there were coping strategies and subsequent rearticulation of community networks to resume tourism in this rural/riverine Amazon community. We conclude that the activism and overcoming strength of riverine dwellers must be considered in psychosocial readings of Amazonian forestry.