Tourism as a Strategy for Reconciling Conservation and Development: A Case Study from a Protected Area of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest.

Abstract

ABSTRACT BAPTISTELLA VEDOVELLO, MARIANA. Master of Natural Resources, International Resources. Tourism as a Strategy for Reconciling Conservation and Development: A Case Study from a Protected Area of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Tourism in protected areas has been proposed as an aide to help balance conservation and local development. However, while tourism can generate employment and revenue, and strengthen the local infrastructure, many social, cultural and environmental problems can also occur. In 1994, the US Forest Service, researchers from North Carolina and the Brazilian NGO SPVS conducted an assessment of the ecotourism potential of the Atlantic Forest, focusing on the Guaraqueçaba Environmental Protected Area (APA). Using mixed methods, such as interviews and direct observation, a qualitative analysis was conducted to examine the evolution of tourism in the Guaraqueçaba APA over the 25 years, as well as its effectiveness as a strategy for environmental conservation and local economic development. By assessing the current tourism situation and comparing the recommendations made in 1994 with the recommendations suggested by the interviewees in the present study, it was observed that tourism did not have a very significant evolution in the Guaraqueçaba “sede”, Peças and Superagui Islands. However, the municipalities of Antonina and Paranaguá, also belonging to the Guaraqueçaba APA, are in a more advanced stage, including community-based tourism initiatives. Despite presenting some favorable results, it is still not possible to affirm that tourism could be Guaraqueçaba’s main livelihood. Although, there are some factors such as local social movements, the new public management of Guaraqueçaba, improvements in the transportation sector, and an increase in the demand for alternative tourism options that make it possible for the Guaraqueçaba APA’s population to achieve the desired sustainable development through tourism.