O PARQUE NACIONAL DA CHAPADA DAS MESAS: UMA ANÁLISE DA GESTÃO DO ECOTURISMO NA PERSPECTIVA DO DESENVOLVIMENTO SUSTENTÁVEL. Goiânia-GO 2018

Abstract

Ecotourism is the fastest growing segment of tourism in the world, as well as the one that most seeks to preserve environmental heritage and cultural heritage, according to WEARING (2014), an alternative to the high negative effects of mass tourism, on local culture and the environment. In 1994, the federal government elaborated the guidelines for a national ecotourism policy, as a basic parameter for the regulation, planning and sustainable development of ecotourism throughout the national territory. In this sense, the objective of this research was to analyze the management of the National Park of the Chapada das Mesas (PNCM), located in the state of Maranhão, having as a parameter the guidelines for a national ecotourism policy. This study considers, from historical contextualization, environmental and legal characteristics to the very management of those responsible for the continuity of the Conservation Unit (UC). Therefore, it was based on theories that discuss the concepts of Ecotourism and Sustainable Development, as well as their connections, from the perspective of sustainability. The methodological bases of this dissertation are based on descriptive qualitative research for data collection and intensive direct observation - to have documentary and bibliographical sources as aid. It was concluded, in summary, that the management of the park due to the inexistence of the management plan develops its activities partially, compromising the objectives that are proposed the guidelines for a national ecotourism policy, and consequently the sustainable development of the park.