Comparative Study of Tourism Management in State Parks Alto da Ribeira (PETAR) and Intervales (PEI)

Abstract

The primary objective of this research is to investigate why two state parks which are relatively similar (PETAR and PEI) have such different degrees of conservation. The central hypothesis is that differences can be explained on the basis of differences on managements. PEI is the best preserved than PETAR because their management is conducted by the Forest Foundation with the participation of the local community through a cooperative. Data analysis and results of field research leads us to conclude that PETAR is undergoing a process of deterioration of their caves open to visitors and its surroundings result of chaotic tourism, thus creating the effect of the tragedy of the commons. In the case of PEI was found a more controlled and limited visitation, and therefore a degree of preservation of the park much higher. We conclude that the management model in which the PEI is bound to Forest Foundation helps to explain the best grade of conservation of the park over the PETAR managed by the Forestry Institute.