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| Current Issues |
Volume 3 No 1, 2005 |
Management, Interpretation and Visitor Perception in Remote National Parks: Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros , Brazil
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Alan A. Lew
Department of Geography & Public Planning
Northern Arizona University , USA |
Jennifer B. Beltz
Department of Geography and Public Planning
Northern Arizona University , USA |
Tom Combrink
School of Hotel and Restaurant Management
Northern Arizona University , USA |
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Abstract
Interpretation, the education of visitors and local residents about a park, has the potential to be a major tool to address the management needs of sensitive ecosystems. A review of the park management plan for Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Veadeiros (PNCV) in Brazil suggests that while interpretation is given some discussion, there are no concrete plans to implement its use for management purposes. Visitors to PNCV felt very positive about their guided experience, but their knowledge of the management issues in PNCV was mixed due to the uncoordinated nature of the information they received. For sustainable development to be successful in the fragile ecosystems found in most national parks, managers need to more aware of the role of interpretation and make use of it to preserve and protect their lands.
Keywords: Brazil , national parks, interpretation, guides, visitor perception, park management |
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