Tourism activity on the Upper Fumaça Waterfall Trail, Caeté-Açu (BA, Brazil): diagnosis and impact analysis/mitigation

Abstract

Brazil, with its diverse landscapes and rich biodiversity, holds significant potential for the development of sustainable activities in natural environments, and tourism stands out as a globally important socioeconomic activity that can thrive in these areas. However, for tourism to be truly sustainable and ensure both its continuity and the income of those involved, it is essential that the activity be properly diagnosed, monitored, and planned. This article focuses on a tourism diagnosis conducted through a comparative analysis of two different periods along the Upper Fumaça Waterfall Trail, located in the Chapada Diamantina National Park, with particular attention to the environmental impacts occurring along the trail. Diagnosis represents the first step in ecotourism planning. Data and information for this study were obtained through document and literature analysis, which provided historical data, as well as in loco data collection and firsthand observation of the main impacts on this trail. The study reveals the ongoing need for changes and further action against the impacts observed, and highlights the necessity of reassessing tourism planning and effectively implementing the Chapada Diamantina management plan. The article concludes with proposals to improve tourism activity in the region.