Os trilhos das montanhas da Madeira enquanto fator de atração de turismo de btt

EnglishThis study highlights the importance of an adventure sports event (Sandokan Enduro) on the mountain rails in Madeira (Calheta), as a factor of local and tourist development. The study includes the participation of 42 mounbain bike (BTT) Enduro tourists (4 women and 38 men) out of a total of 98 practitioners. An anonymous questionnaire was applied after the end of the Sandokan Enduro. Additionally, the data gathered from a focus group was analysed; which was about the development of local sports tourism, and involved the participation of organizational actors with responsibilities for the matter. The sports tourists visited the Madeira Island with the purpose of participating in the Sandokan Enduro. The main motives for their participation were associated with the diversity and originality of the mountain rails, as well as the magnificent landscapes of Madeira. The majority of the participants travelled accompanied by family, friends, collaborators and support technicians. Tourists of BTT Enduro tend to stay longer on the Island in order to train, as well as to experience new and challenging rails with unique landscapes and routes. The ‘hard’ and risky features of the BTT Enduro may explain the poor participation by women, however, there is an evident diversity concerning the participants’ ages. For the development of BTT tourism in the mountains of Madeira, an integrated strategy is needed between politicians and local entrepreneurs in order to invest in the organization of specific sports events. In this sense, it is necessary to provide good policies for the environmental framework as sports areas, in order to respect the natural environment. These would include a properly accreditation of the rails and routes. portuguesEste estudo procura explicar a relevância de um evento desportivo de aventura nos trilhos das montanhas da Madeira (Calheta), enquanto fator de desenvolvimento local e turistico. Foram inquiridos 42 turistas praticantes de BTT Enduro (4 mulheres e 38 homens), de um total de 98 participantes no evento Sandokan Enduro, atraves de um questionario anonimo, realizado no final do evento. Adicionalmente, foi efetuada a analise de dados de um encontro focus grupo sobre o desenvolvimento do turismo desportivo local, que envolveu a participacao de diversos atores organizacionais com responsabilidades no assunto. Os turistas desportivos em estudo visitaram a ilha da Madeira com o proposito de participar no Sandokan Enduro. Os motivos de participacao mais mencionados estavam associados a diversidade e originalidade dos trilhos, bem como as paisagens magnificas das montanhas da Madeira. A maioria dos participantes viajou acompanhada, quer de familiares, quer de colaboradores e tecnicos de apoio. Os turistas de BTT Enduro tendem a permanecer mais dias na Ilha, a fim de treinarem e experienciarem novos e desafiantes trilhos com paisagens e percursos unicos. As caracteristicas ‘hard’ e de risco e aventura desta disciplina do ciclismo podem explicar a fraca adesao do sexo feminino, contudo, existe uma grande heterogeneidade etaria. Para que o BTT de turismo se desenvolva, nas montanhas da Ilha da Madeira, e necessaria uma estrategia concertada entre os politicos e os empresarios locais, no sentido de investirem na organizacao de eventos desportivos, dentro de um contexto ambiental ordenado, assim como devidamente acreditado para o efeito.