As trilhas do Cavalo Marinho e do Peixe-Boi na Rota das Emoções: Uma alternativa de turismo educativo na Área de Proteção Ambiental (APA) Delta do Parnaíba, Piauí, Brasil

Abstract

This paper presents and reinforces the importance of research stimulated by scientific tourism in natural areas with the presence of poor communities. Sets out the results of a proposal for a development model of tourism that values, democratize access to knowledge production of researchers, teachers and students. The aim of this paper is to analyse the trails of the Seahorse and Manatee on Emotions Route as an alternative educational tourism in the Area of Environmental Protection Delta (APA) of Panaíba Delta, Piauí, Brazil, and as an element of spatial planning and possible strategy to the development and sustainability for local communities by tourist visitation. The methodology is characterised by an empirical study, with qualitative and quantitative analyses of the local community and the natural supply that make up this study. The development of this work involved the Federal University of Piauí – UFPI, School of Tourism, local communities of Barra Grande on Emotions Route between the National Park of Jericoacoara (CE) and Lençois Maranhenses (MA). The paper
includes a theoretical structure with natural resources, ecotourism in natural areas and the presence of local communities, the theory and methodology concerned to the trails, project development, and achieved results.