Tourism, conservation and partnerships: the concession model in national and state parks in Brazil

Abstract

This article presents an analysis of policies and partnership programs to support leisure and tourism in national and state parks, with a focus on concession partnerships, which expanded mainly between 2019 and 2022. The article addresses the context of privatizations and concessions promoted by the federal government, highlighting the role of the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) in structuring the Concessions Program for Natural Parks. This program aimed to attract private investment to improve infrastructure and visitor support services in parks, with an emphasis on economic development and environmental conservation. The methodology involved gathering and analyzing secondary data on partnerships in protected areas, including normative references, institutional reports, and databases such as the Mapping of Partnerships in Protected Areas (MAPAP), in addition to academic articles, institutional websites, and major newspapers. The article presents an overview of concessions, including the qualification of several parks under the Investment Partnership Program (PPI) and their inclusion in the National Privatization Program (PND). The different stages of the concession process are highlighted, from the preparation of feasibility studies to the signing of contracts. The results indicate an increase in the number of formalized partnerships, especially in the form of concessions, as well as challenges related to transparency, social participation, and the socio-environmental impacts of these partnerships. Finally, the article emphasizes the need for continuous monitoring of concessions to ensure that the goals of environmental conservation, territorial enhancement, and social inclusion are effectively achieved.