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Critical analysis of public policies on environmental conservation, management, and tourism development in the protected natural areas of Ecuador to detect their dysfunctions, contradictions, and problems of applicability. A predominantly exploratory research methodology with a descriptive-analytical approach is used when studying and systematizing the different regulations, actions and guidelines existing and implemented by international and national organizations with competencies in environmental conservation and sustainable development. These are systematized and analyzed through the main documents of interest that include principles, strategic guidelines, and specific rules of application. Through primary and secondary sources, and internal documentation of various Administrations we have identified the most visible effects and impacts that these policies have generated in the protection and/or valorization of the natural heritage, as well as in the tourist development compatible with the conservation of these spaces, the generation of complementary income and economic diversification for local communities. We concluded that Ecuadorian regulations on the conservation of protected areas present notable points of collision and lack of coherence or coordination with tourism policies. This is the consequence of two main factors: the lack of a broad strategic vision and comprehensive territorial planning of these territories as sustainable tourist destinations and the lack of a framework for management, planning and collaborative planning between the different local agencies and agents that affect these spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the perception and behavior of active tourism companies that provide outdoor physical sports activities in emerging tourist destinations in Cordoba, an inland province of southern Spain. The active tourism supply of registered businesses was analyzed using fieldwork data and more than 30 variables including training and qualification of human resources, business vision of demand, marketing and promotion strategies, and perceptions of supply trends. To this end, a quantitative-qualitative empirical study was performed together with in-depth interviews of key stakeholders. Official registry sources were also used to complement the data. The results show a fragmented network of micro-SMEs that are functionally isolated from the rest of the tourism supply and display an intuitive and poor market-oriented behavior due to the inadequate management of their client portfolio. Such management models make it difficult for these businesses to take advantage of key strategic assets to increase profitability and achieve a competitive and sustainable advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper systematically reviews strategic planning models implemented in tourist destinations affected by natural disasters. For this, case studies from various regions are analysed to identify key research topics, the most common strategies, connection points, and the most innovative methodologies, as well as systematising the most successful experiences. A synthesis of characteristics found shows that, although certain regularities appear, researchers have not reached a consensus regarding the selection of factors and measures to be included in the strategic recovery plans of destinations after a crisis, nor in the methodology for its instrumentation. No model can be considered complete because each contains strengths and opportunities, but also limitations and weaknesses. After a discussion of results and validity, guidelines are proposed for cases of affected destinations in aspects such as recovery of image, marketing, cooperation between actors, governance system, or the revaluation and requalification of the heritage offer and tourist services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a geographical reading of nature sports and recreational-tourist spaces. Nature sports have gone from being mere recreational physical activities to become a product of great potential in the tourism market in many rural, mountain and coastal areas. In this work the main contributions of Geography in the study of nature sports and its spaces of practice and the possibilities and approaches that this discipline can introduce for a more integral understanding of the phenomenon of the natur-based sports tourism, the improvement of its quality and sustainability, and as an instrument of local development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]