“Invasion” of the Ilha do Medo: the pro- cess of implantation of tourism and the reac- tion by the natives from the island

Abstract

This article presents the process of
implantation of the communitarian tourism in
Ilha do Medo, Maranhão, and the reaction of nati-
ves against “the invaders”, the way how they define
the tourists. It also reports the dialogue between
the natives and the planners of tourism sent to the
Ilha do Medo. The natives ́ reaction in relation to
the transformation of the Ilha do Medo in a new
touristic place in São Luís demonstrates the islan-
ders concern in keeping their local way of life. The
representations of natives on tourists are endorsed
in dichotomies such as: conservation x destruc-
tion, known x unknown, inhabitants x invaders,
security x danger. As it relates the relationship
that was settled between natives and tourists, the
analysis the of tourism implantation process make
us understand the social relations among tourism
planners, natives and the ethnographer in his or
her field trip.