A New Mass-Market Outdoor Tourism Model Threats the Sustainability of Rural Environment in Spain: The Necessity for Regulation

Julia Escorihuela

doi:10.31031/aaoa.2017.01.000516

Abstract

Archaeology & Anthropology: Open Access A New Mass-Market Outdoor Tourism Model Threats the Sustainability of Rural Environment in Spain: The Necessity for Regulation Julia Escorihuela* Manager of the Geologic Park of Aliaga, Spain *Corresponding author: Julia Escorihuela, Manager of the Geologic Park of Aliaga, C\San Antonio s/n 44150, Aliaga, Teruel, Spain Submission: December 15, 2017; Published: December 22, 2017 DOI: 10.31031/AAOA.2017.01.000516 ISSN: 2577-1949Volume1 Issue4

Highlights

People from cities are diversifying their touristic destinations, in summertime and at weekends
Nowadays different kinds of tourism are emerging to react to the touristic demands, promoting active and participative outdoor and adventure activities [1], for instance canyoning, four-wheeler tracks, and hiking trails that are aimed at families and general public, and without other hosting facilities
A new outdoor tourism model has appeared in the last decade in Spain, it is based on enjoying nature by means of hiking trails on sites with a high geological value

Summary

Introduction

People from cities are diversifying their touristic destinations, in summertime and at weekends. Nowadays different kinds of tourism are emerging to react to the touristic demands, promoting active and participative outdoor and adventure activities [1], for instance canyoning, four-wheeler tracks, and hiking trails that are aimed at families and general public, and without other hosting facilities In this context, a new outdoor tourism model has appeared in the last decade in Spain, it is based on enjoying nature by means of hiking trails on sites with a high geological value. This last type of tourism is being promoted by the municipalities of rural areas,-which are those that have the privileged geological heritage-, which are adapting tracks, elaborating informative panels, and, in addition, they are creating access roads to practically inaccessible places, and in most cases without providing a greater knowledge and understanding of the host environment This way, in recent years people from cities are diversifying their touristic destinations, in summertime and at weekends. As a consequence a mass-market tourism is emerging directed towards nearby natural environments, and in many cases, with little use of local facilities (such as food stores, tourist lodgings, or restaurants), and leaving little income in hosting areas

Objectives

Conclusion