Reflections on the Potential of the Tourism Market for the Inclusion of Refugees and Immigrants in Society. a Case Study on the Projects of the Accor Group and the Cataratas Group.

The global increase in forced displacements, which reached a record number of 114 million people in 2023, according to UN data (2024), raises urgent questions about the relationship between immigration, refuge, and labor market integration. Refugees are defined by international conventions as individuals who flee their country due to persecution and conflict, whereas immigrants are those who move primarily in search of better economic opportunities. Bernard (1976) suggests that the differences between them are more gradual than absolute, with their needs often being similar. In this context, the tourism sector stands out as a possible space for inclusion for these individuals due to its multicultural nature. As Henrich et al. (2021) observe, knowledge of languages and familiarity with different cultures can make them valuable, particularly in public-facing roles. In this sense, the present study aims to analyze professional inclusion initiatives for refugees and immigrants in the tourism market in Rio de Janeiro, through the actions of the Cataratas Group, with its "Novo Lar" program, and the Accor Group, a partner of UNHCR. The adopted methodology consists of qualitative research, based on interviews with company managers and workers in refugee and immigrant situations who are active in the tourism sector. This study aims to examine recruitment strategies, cultural and linguistic adaptation, as well as the barriers faced in the professional insertion process. At the same time, it strives to promote a reflection on the refugees' own perceptions of their social and economic integration in Brazil. By addressing the paradoxical relationship between tourism and migration, in a scenario of increasing forced displacement, we seek to understand how the tourism sector can contribute to the integration and how this initiative is crucial for the development of welcoming policies that not only promote inclusion but also respect and value cultural and human diversity.