Territorial dynamics and increased tourist flow in two islands

Abstract

Tourism is one of the main activities developed in insular areas that become the major source of economy. However, it is also responsible for causing social and environmental problems when it occurs spontaneously and with low regulations. The objective of this work was to understand how the increase of the tourism flow cause impacts on the territory and landscape of Ilha Grande and Île d’Oléron. Thus, semi-structured interviews were carried out with older residents and a qualitative review of the bibliographic systematizes was performed, being possible to state that the increase of the tourist’s flow changed the territory and local landscape of both islands. In addition, it was identified the importance of evaluating the historical periods before the touristic economy, promoting a general vision about the landscape changes.