Turismo y semiótica: el arraigo como anclaje a la cultura venezolana

Abstract

This reflective essay examines the intersection of tourism, semiotics, and culture in Venezuela, highlighting how rootedness functions as a symbolic anchor that sustains the country’s cultural identity. Tourism is conceptualized not merely as an economic phenomenon but as a communicative and semiotic process in which cultural signs (landscapes, practices, rituals, and symbolic expressions) are interpreted, re-signified, and transmitted to both visitors and local communities. Rootedness emerges as a central element that ensures the continuity of meaning, the coherence of cultural experiences, and the preservation of collective memory in the face of globalization and social mobility. The discussion draws on semiotic theory, cultural anthropology, and communication studies, incorporating classical and contemporary authors such as Geertz, Peirce, Relph, and Tuan. The essay concludes that rootedness not only reinforces Venezuelan cultural identity but also serves as a strategic resource for constructing authentic and sustainable tourism experiences.