Resumen

GAMBOA, Martín. Mystic Tourism and Religious Tourism in Lavalleja’s Department (Uruguay): A Multi-sited Ethnography of Tourist Attractions. Estud. perspect. tur. [online]. 2019, vol.28, n.1, pp.21-37. ISSN 1851-1732.

This article is the synthesis of an ethnographic research carried out in Lavalleja’s Department, Uruguay. The ethnographic study focused on the study of ‘tourist attractions’ where mystic tourism (in its wide range) and religious tourism (represented in the pilgrimage to Verdun’s Virgin) takes place and are currently being developed. Due to the wide range of ‘tourist attractions’ (in the case of mystic tourism), it was necessary select a multi-sited ethnography at the methodological level. Although this does not aim to achieve a holistic representation of the groups studied, instead has the virtue of providing a global map of the territory without losing the sight of connections and networks that surpass tourist attractions in the space. Results obtained in research showed the existence of a new territorial shape (concerning an intangible nature) that skirts the sub-urban and adjacent areas of the city of Minas. This territoriality began since the year 2000 with the progressive crystallization of spiritual centers and guided tours where different forms of mystic tourism are developed. However, the wide range of mystic tourism attractions has a common platform: the energy of place.

Palabras clave : Mystic tourism; Religious tourism; Multi-sited ethnography; Territoriality; Tourist attractions.