Beyond sun and beach tourism: A proposal for a geotouristic route for the municipality of São João da Barra, RJ

Abstract

Geoparks promote educational and geotouristic actions to attract visitors and create options to contribute to the local economy, which is configured as a sustainable territorial development strategy. The municipality of São João da Barra is part of the Geopark Costões e Lagunas (Coasts and Lagoons Geopark) project in Rio de Janeiro. Located in the northern region of Rio de Janeiro, it attracts visitors mainly focused on sun and beach tourism. The aim of this study is to present a proposal for a geotourism route for the municipality, based on the wide variety of geodiversity aspects identified in the region. Thus, sites were selected with the potential to provide geotouristic information, including location, main characteristics, rocks, and/or processes found at each site, and a potential activity already installed through geofood was also pointed out. The geotouristic route contains the following attractions: (a) from the point of view of urban geotourism: Old Town Hall and Jail, São João Batista Matrix Church, Emperor Wharf, Empress Wharf, Carlos Martins Cultural Center, São João Cine Theater, (b) from the point of view of education: Science Space; and (c) geotourism in a natural area: Atafona (with four places to visit) and Lagoa Salgada (Salty Lagoon). In addition to being an alternative to sun and beach tourism, the proposed route can contribute to promoting geotourism, conserving attractions, and developing the local economy.