Tourism and participatory planning in protected natural areas: the case of the Parque Estadual Mangues do Potengi-RN

Abstract

The tourism in protected areas is seen as a tool for the conservation of natural areas of great importance, as well as public awareness of environmental issues. Thus, the present study aims to assess how the community surrounding of the Parque Estadual Mangues Potengi-RN participates in tourism and in the creation process of the related conservation unit. To achieve the objective of this study a qualitative methodology will used, being made search bibliographic and electronic. The field research interviews were conducted with formal and informal community leaders, and the analysis was conceived through the Governance Elements Matrix in Tourism, prepared by Nóbrega (2015) as well as the content analysis technique of Bardin (1997). As a result it was verified that there is no participatory planning with the community in the creation of the PEMAP, as well as a lack of knowledge of the comunnunity on tourism.