The natural offer of thelandscape and the demand for tourism: a spatial analysis of visitors' preferences

摘要

In Spain, tourism constitutes an important source of incorme. In recent years the rural world, together with the spaces habitually visited, such as the beach or the muntains, has become the centre of increasing attention, due to the fact that some exceptionally attractive values have been recognised here, in the beauty of the landscapes, cultural characteristics and natural values. This paper deals with the methodology used to learn about the natural offer of the landscape and the degree to which different types of visitors appreciate this. The main natural and cultural variables characterising the landscape, and which of these might attract tourism, are thus identified. The nature of the landscape was then contrasted versus the demand for tourism in order to observe the degree of correspondence between the different types of demand in each sector of the landscape and the otential capacity to satisfy tem. A high corrspondence indicates that the landscape typology is well capable of absorbing the demand it is subjected to, and its spatial variation can be interpreted from the point of view of the natural and cultural characteristics and of the visitors' preferences. The deree of adjustement between supply and demand will allow for the design of a map of present and potential tourist preferences. Planning tourist activities in accordance with this contrast allows for different management strategies, and eliminates or rpomotes determinedactivities linked to the supply of the landscape and the related environmental cost. The risks and potentialities of tourist activity associated with the natural variability of the landscape and to traditional rural uses can thus be evaluated. The conclusions reached from an analysis of this nature can also be used in forecasting processes and in the design of future land use scenarios.