Contributo socio-ecónomico dos eventos culturais para as comunidades locais: o caso do Festival do Tofo no Municipio de Inhambane

Abstract

Cultural events have established themselves as an essential strategy for strengthening local identity and boosting economies in emerging destinations. In the Municipality of Inhambane, southern Mozambique, the Tofo Festival represents a concrete example of how cultural events can contribute socio-economically to local communities. This study sought to analyze the socio-economic contributions generated by the Tofo Festival in the local communities of the Municipality of Inhambane, considering its role as a cultural event. The research used semi-structured interviews with public, private, and community representatives, allowing the capture of perceptions and experiences of different actors involved in the planning and execution of the event. The results show that the festival promotes the appreciation of local products, the revitalization of cultural traditions, and the formation of new audiences interested in artistic expressions. It also promotes an increase in the flow of Visitors, job and income generation, reinforcing Inhambane's image as a tourist destination. The analysis highlights the importance of cooperation between authorities, entrepreneurs, artists and the community to ensure the sustainability of the event, in line with the literature on cultural events as drivers of development. However, challenges related to security, infrastructure, communication and accessibility were identified, requiring improvements in management to maximize benefits and reduce negative impacts. The Tofo Festival confirms the strategic role of cultural events for the local economy, while at the same time demanding integrated policies to ensure a balance between cultural preservation and social inclusion. (TRADUÇÃO NOSSA)