Área de Proteção Ambiental do Maracanã em São Luís (Maranhão, Brasil): aspectos socioambientais e o desenvolvimento local na atividade turística

The objective of this paper is to identify how the tourist phenomenon contributed responsibly to the equity of the local development of "Bairro Maracana" community, in Sao Luis (Maranhao, Brazil). From a theoretical review of the issue and of a field research accomplished with the locals, it was obtained the possibility of understanding the tourism real importance for the social and local development of the Maracana neighborhood. The results show that the tourism developed in Maracana is a contribution to the achievement of a quality of life for the residents of that area and the tourism projects when well directed, create a critical mass about the concept of environmental preservation. It is concluded that the way how tourism is being developed at "Bairro Maracana" is bringing benefits to all people involved, making the community get involved with tourism and receiving the positive contributions that this activity provides.