Environmental NGOs and Protected Areas – a possible relationship for the sustainability of tourism in Fernando de Noronha Island, Brazil
Maria Ventura
University the Azores
Maria Anunciação Ventura is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Biology of Azores University (Portugal). Has a degree in Biology by the Faculty of Sciences, University of Lisbon, and finished her academic career at the University of the Azores where she got a doctorate in Biology, specialty Animal Ecology. She is responsible for various disciplines in the fields of Ecology, Conservation and Sampling, performing teaching functions on graduation courses (Biology and Psychology), post graduation courses (Masters in Biodiversity and Insular Ecology; Integrated Studies of the Oceans; Environment, Health and Safety; Erasmus Mundus on Sea Planning), and the doctorate (PhD) course in Biology. She has coordinated research projects in the area of Conservation and Sustainable Development, and has supervised graduated scholars, master and PhD students.
Abstract
The growing involvement of ENGOs in tourism-related activities all over the world has brought new knowledge to these organizations, as well as to local communities, researchers and protected areas, amongst others. Where... [ view full abstract ]
The growing involvement of ENGOs in tourism-related activities all over the world has brought new knowledge to these organizations, as well as to local communities, researchers and protected areas, amongst others. Where insular contexts are concerned, this relationship has its own singularities, with potentials and limitations yet unexplored. In this scenery, the idea of sustainable development as a basis for research integrates different dimensions of sustainability (environmental, cultural, social and economic), thus transforming the entire discussion on new developments in tourism. In this paper, we discuss and reflect upon how the managers of Fernando de Noronha’s EPA and PARNAMAR perceive the role of local ENGOs in sustainable tourism. We conducted structured interviews with the managers and those in charge of the local ENGOs. In loco observation was also used during two different periods in 2012. It has been found the managers of both protected areas are concerned with promoting shared management and joint activities with the ENGOs. The examples of the involvement of ENGOs can be observed in discussions about tourism planning, community training and tourist awareness, etc. This shared management shows that tourism is run in a way that promotes local and participatory development and harmonizes the goals of sustainability. The results of this strategic partnership can be verified not only through in loco observation, but also in official documents, thus demonstrating the importance of the role ENGOs in the sustainability of tourism in FN. However, the complexity of touristic activity requires a constant supervision of the actions undertaken by such organizations so that they can continue giving their contribution to the planning and management of tourism in the FN’s protected areas by future actions that pursue sustainability.
Authors
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Deborah Estima
(University the Azores and University of Aveiro)
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Maria Ventura
(University the Azores)
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Andrea Rabinovici
(Federal University of São Paulo)
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Filomena Martins
(University of Aveiro)
Topic Areas
Topics: Policy and Governance , Topics: Protected Area Tourism , Topics: Island Tourism
Session
OS-B4 » Policy and Governance (11:30 - Monday, 3rd October, Palmavera Room, Santa Chiara Complex)
Presentation Files
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