The role of tourism in space transformations in the coast of the metropolitan region of Salvador: the case of Mata de São João

Abstract The Atlantic coast of the Salvador Metropolitan Region (RMS), Bahia, has undergone, and still is undergoing, major transformations, especially in recent decades, reflecting the growing of real estate and tourism activities that are the main promoters of this area. Given the background, the main objective of this study was to analyze how the process of space production occurred on this coast, through tourism, and what were the main elements that influenced this production, using as a case study the municipality of Mata de São João. Regarding the conceptual and methodological aspects, the work is based on the concepts of space and tourism, and was developed in a qualitative approach, through the methods of monographic-descriptive and historical procedures, as well as in situ observation. The results showed that isolated urban areas, Praia do Forte, Imbassaí, and Sauípe were the most affected by tourist activities and, consequently, underwent profound socio-spatial changes. This was mainly due to the construction of the BA-099 highway, as well as other state-built infrastructure.