From battle to tourism: ecotourism potential of the Santa Maria de Guaxenduba quilombola community (MA, Brazil)

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.34024/qr1rdk97

Keywords:

Income Generation, Sustainability, Protected Area, Visitation

Abstract

Ecotourism and community-based tourism are an alternative to mass tourism and have been discussed as an alternative for the development of traditional communities, especially in protected areas such as protected areas. This study analyzed the ecotourism potential of the quilombola community of Santa Maria de Guaxenduba (MA, Brazil), linking it to community-based tourism and its historical, cultural and natural heritage. The research methods included interviews with community leaders and local entrepreneurs, on-site visits to natural and historical-cultural attractions and enterprises related to lodging, food and handicraft services. The research identified local lodging and food initiatives, indicating economic viability for sustainable territorial development. However, infrastructure and access limitations still pose significant challenges. The conclusion is that community-based tourism is an efficient strategy for promoting territorial development by integrating income generation with cultural preservation and environmental conservation.

Author Biographies

  • Dr. Marcelo D. Vidal, National Center for Research and Conservation of Sociobiodiversity Associated with Traditional Peoples and Communities, Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation

    Graduated in Biological Sciences from the Federal University of Amazonas. Master's degree in Ecology from the National Institute of Amazonian Research. PhD in Biodiversity and Conservation from the BioNorte Network, with a doctoral internship at the University of Florida, United States. Worked at the State Department of Environment of Amazonas (Ecological Corridors Project), at the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (Várzea Natural Resources Management Project - ProVárzea and Integrated Management of Aquatic Biodiversity in the Amazon Project - AquaBio). In 2009, became an Environmental Analyst at the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio), assigned to the National Center for Research and Conservation of Amazonian Biodiversity (CEPAM). In 2012, joined the team at the National Center for Research and Conservation of Sociobiodiversity Associated with Traditional Peoples and Communities (CNPT). Member of the Research Groups 'Human Ecology in the Amazon (INPA)' and Human Ecology and Conservation of Natural and Cultural Resources (UFF). Member of the World Commission on Protected Areas of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (WCPA-IUCN) and of the Specialist Group on Protected Areas and Public Use (TAPAS-IUCN). Coordinates and participates in natural resource management projects, especially those related to the use, conflicts, and conservation of wildlife

  • Maria Amanda de Vasconcelos, Federal University of Maranhão

    Undergraduate student in Tourism at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA) and Finance technician at E.E.E.P. Júlio França. Researcher at the Multidisciplinary Center for Bioeconomy, Environment, Innovation and Intelligence, Education and Health (BAITES/UFMA). She has worked as an intern at the Forte Santo Antônio da Barra cultural center, linked to the Maranhão State Department of Culture, and at the National Center for Research and Conservation of Sociobiodiversity Associated with Traditional Peoples and Communities, linked to the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation. She coordinates and participates in projects focused on sustainable tourism, community-based tourism, environmental conservation, bioeconomy, and territorial development, with an emphasis on the relationship between tourism and sociobiodiversity. She produced a booklet on Community-Based Tourism published by EDUFMA. She has also conducted training in Rural Community-Based Tourism through the Maranhão State Institute of Education, Science, and Technology.

  • Dra. Mônica de Nazaré F. de Araújo, Federal University of Maranhão

    Professor, extensionist, and researcher in the Tourism Course at the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA); Coordinator of the Research and Documentation Center in Tourism at UFMA; Postdoctoral researcher in socio-environmental development with research in the Pan-Amazon region (Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru) through NAEA/UFPA, funded by the National Postdoctoral Program (PNPD/CAPES); PhD in Sciences: Socio-environmental Development (2015) from the Graduate Program in Sustainable Development of the Humid Tropics at the Center for Advanced Amazon Studies, Federal University of Pará (2011), funded by FAPEMA; completed a sandwich PhD at the Tropical Agronomic Center for Research and Teaching (CATIE) in Turrialba, Costa Rica, from October 2013 to March 2014, funded by CAPES. Master’s degree in Communication Sciences from the University of São Paulo (2001), funded by FAPESP; Specialist in Family Agriculture (FAGRAN); Specialist in Strategic Tourism Planning from USP (1991); Undergraduate in Bachelor's degree in Tourism from the Federal University of Pará (1991). Degree in Full Licentiate in Pedagogy from the University of the Amazon (UNAMA), Belém/Pará (1987). Since 1992, she has been an adjunct professor in the Department of Tourism and Hospitality at the Federal University of Maranhão. She has experience in the field of Tourism both academically and in government; She served as Deputy Secretary of Tourism for the state of Maranhão (2007 to 2009); She worked in the area of International Relations with an emphasis on International Technical Cooperation (2008/2009). Course evaluator in the field of Tourism for MEC/SESU and INEP.

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Published

2026-09-08

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 3 (2026): agosto-outubro/2026

Section

Artigos

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How to Cite

DERZI VIDAL, Marcelo; AMANDA DE VASCONCELOS, Maria; FERREIRA DE ARAÚJO, Mônica de Nazaré. From battle to tourism: ecotourism potential of the Santa Maria de Guaxenduba quilombola community (MA, Brazil). Brazilian Journal of Ecotourism, [S. l.], v. 19, n. 3, p. 364–382, 2026. DOI: 10.34024/qr1rdk97. Disponível em: https://periodicos.unifesp.br/ecoturismo/article/view/21760. Acesso em: 16 oct. 2026.
Received 2026-01-15
Accepted 2026-04-23
Published 2026-09-08