Perfil do visitante e capacidade de carga turística em áreas protegidas: o caso do Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande, RJ

Abstract

The objective of this work was to contribute to the study of tourism environmental planning, specifically Tourism Carrying Capacity methodologies. To do this, two methods were compared, Limits of Acceptable Changes (LAC) e Visitor Activities Management Process (VAMP), in relation to the adequacy to the area, identifying the environmental risks and anthrop pressures; and related to the focus on local issues and the visitors profile, in Praia Preta, located in the Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, RJ. Few differences were observed between the methods, with little advantage to LAC. We suggest that two fundamental components should take part of a Tourism Carrying Capacity framework: the visitors profile and activities and the residents perception related to local tourism. Such information should compose the management strategies in Protected Areas.