Lineamientos y estrategias de manejo turístico del Geoparque "Volcán Tungurahua", cantón Guano, provincia de Chimborazo

Abstract

The present research proposes to establish and strategies for an appropriate tourism management at Tunguragua Volcano Geopark in the territory corresponding to Guano canton. To this purpose, the first stage was the evaluation of thr cantonal geo-tourist potential. Through the present study of the demand was posible to identify the potential visitor profile of the geo-park, both nationally and internationally. Through the study of the current offer, it was posible to validate the tourist attractions of the canton and identify 17 sites of geological interest. For subsequent characterization, I considered the evaluation and prioritization of four Geo-sites bearing in mind two factors, on the one hand, entire tourist available facility around the geo-sites, as well as the tourist establishment and specialized agencies in chatge of developing the current activity in town. On the other hand these application of the Range of Opportunities for Visitors in Protected Areas (ROVAP for the Spanish initials) as a methodological tool proposed by the Ministry of Tourism. It helped to identify the scenario in which the geo-sites are analized using their biophysical, social and management environment. It was posible by identifying a typology of tourism activities to measure the geo-sites opportunities and to satisfy the desired eperiences of the visitors. Finally, this tool helped to establish the model of tourism management in the geo-sites that are based on the guidelines and strategies aimed at those who visit the geo-sites and to define a regulation for visitors and tourist activities the Volcano Tungurahua Volcano Geopark.