Analysis of the Touristic Development Plan of the State of Maranhão: Potentialities and Obstacles in the Management of a Touristic Pole in a Strategic Municipality

Abstract

This paper analyses the Plan for the Integral Touristic Development of Maranhão (the Master Plan) as a tool in the planning of the State’s touristic policy, focusing on the Macro Program of Development and its effects on the privileged locus of Floresta dos Guarás Pole. The guidelines of the Macro Program define the poles of touristic attraction of the state having in view local and regional development. Curupuru, the “entry doorway” of this pole is considered, in the Master Plan, a strategic municipality because it belongs integrally to an expressive Area of Environmental Protection. Here, the viability of the Master Plan as a tool to promote local and regional tourism is investigated. This is a qualitative and analytical exploratory research emphasizing content analysis. A documental, bibliographical research and an empirical approach (interviews and participant observation) were employed. The research results show determinant factors as responsible for the advances and drawbacks in the conduction of the Master Plan, and put in evidence the critical elements in the mechanisms and principles that rule the conduction of state oriented touristic plans focusing on pole management, to be able to promote local tourism in environmentally protected areas.