Tourism approach of the establishment of Protected Natural Areas in Polo Costa das Dunas (RN, Brazil)

Abstract

It is necessary to understand the context of Tourism in Protected Natural Areas, taking into account its effects and planning, in order to mitigate undesirable results, especially when the establishment of these areas is driven by a discourse of environmental conservation combined with Tourism as the answer for the local sustainability challenges. Based on this understanding and through a qualitative approach, we sought to analyze the purpose and context of tourism in Protected Natural Areas of the Rio Grande do Norte (RN) State that are being established in the touristic Polo Costa das Dunas, specifically in two State parks, Mangues do Potengi - PEMAP (Natal) and Jiqui - PEJ (Parnamirim). The first stage of the research was of a descriptive type, with the analysis of processes and minutes documents related to the establishment of the parks, as well as of meeting minutes of the mentioned Polo. In the second stage, a semi-structured interview took place in the Center of Conservation Units of IDEMA on aspects related to the intended tourism planning for the areas. It was found that the processes of establishing the parks are stagnant; PEMAP depends on the continuity of technical and socioeconomic studies and PEJ awaits for the assignment of the area defined by the area. Regarding tourism actors in the public or private sector and surrounding communities, it was noted that their involvement is timid and reticent, which can result in socioeconomic conflicts following the establishment of the area. In relation to debates that took place at the Polo meetings, the scarcity and incipience of the topic at hand was noticed, demonstrating a gap in the perspective of tourism planning in relation to the new areas of potential attractiveness. Thus, it is believed that the discussions and participation of different actors interested in the establishment of these parks need to be more extent and with further development, aiming at achieving a more assertive and secure integrative planning.