The literature on the development of tourism destinations neglects to question their precise origins. Thus, it makes sense to research the when, how and why a particular place attracts tourists to the point of being considered an up-and-coming destination. The case of Trevinca-A Veiga (Galicia, Spain), a mountain area which is emerging as a tourism destination, is analysed through 28 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders regarding the initial phases of tourism development. Six different narratives (rather than simply one), regarding the emergence of Trevinca-A Veiga as a tourism destination, are identified. These are not mutually exclusive stories, rather, they appear interwoven and in dialogue with each other, complementing and sometimes even contradicting each other. The article shows that the origin of a destination has to be understood not only in its materiality but also through its intangible dimensions. This includes discussing the place name used by a destination and its spatial coverage and scale, and negotiating the dimension and type of demand that is desired. Therefore, the origin of a destination is a process with multiple interpretations sustained by a complex social net. The conclusions include a set of recommendations for tourism destination development in a mountain area with no previous development.
ResumenLos espacios naturales protegidos transfronterizos (ENPT) se han multiplicado en los últimos años, sobre todo en el ámbito europeo y en África Austral. Tanto desde las organizaciones internacionales como desde el mundo académico se han realizado multitud de investigaciones acerca de los ENPT; más neutras, por lo general, las primeras, y más críticas las segundas. En la Península Ibérica, destaca por su extensión la Reserva de la Biosfera Transfronteriza Meseta Ibérica, declarada en 2015. Este artículo la estudia a través de una investigación cualitativa, en particular mediante entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los resultados obtenidos son interpretados en el marco de las referencias disponibles sobre los ENPT. El análisis efectuado revela que esta Reserva de la Biosfera se basa discursivamente más en cuestiones turísticas y de marca que en aspectos vinculados a la protección y conservación ambientales, una conclusión que subvierte el modelo esperado. Palabras clave: espacio natural protegido transfronterizo (ENPT); reserva de la biosfera; turismo; conservación ambiental; España/Portugal Resum. La Reserva de la Biosfera Meseta Ibérica com a espai natural protegit transfronterer: eina de conservació o marca promocional?
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