TOURIST SERVICE POLICING - THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS TYPE IN FOZ DO IGUAÇU

Abstract

Considering the relevance of public security as a determining factor in the choice of tourist destinations, this study addresses the role of the Tourist Assistance Police Company (CiaTur) in Foz do Iguaçu, within the context of the growing demand for safe and well-prepared destinations for both national and international visitors. The objective is to describe the importance of the city in the tourism landscape of Paraná and South America, identify the origin of its tourists, and demonstrate how the presence of specialized policing contributes to the destination’s positive image. To this end, a qualitative methodology with exploratory and descriptive characteristics was adopted, based on documentary research and the analysis of secondary data from official tourism and public security agencies. It was observed that Foz do Iguaçu has stood out as a reference in tourism security, especially due to CiaTur's presence in strategic and high-traffic areas such as Iguaçu National Park, the international airport, and hotel zones. The analysis of tourism flow data from 2022 to 2024 and the hosting of the 1st Inter-American Symposium on Tourist Security confirm the positive impact of the integration between security and tourism. This leads to the conclusion that investment in specialized policing strengthens the destination's competitiveness, improves the visitor experience, and contributes to the city's international promotion.