Landscape perception of local population: the relationship between ecological characteristics, local society and visitor preferences

Abstract

Previous research has described and mapped the 'visitor-landscape' correspondence in terms of 'demand' and 'offer'. The relationship between the landscape and the socio-economic structure of the local population has also been studied, enabling us to create scenarios of change. Other relationships are being studied in order to provide an understanding both of the local population and of the tourism industry within the context of the 'landscape resource', in an attempt to produce results, both for this industry and for the sensible and sustainable management of the above mentioned resource.In the present paper we focus on the island of Fuerteventura (Canary Isles, Spain) and attempt to describe an assessment of the landscape by local populations -'local population-landscape' correspondence -and compare it with the perception of visitors -'visitors-landscape' correspondence. The results show a clear parallelism between the appreciation of the island's landscape by visitors and locals. The former consider the variable 'sun' to be essential in their appreciation of the landscape, this factor constituting the reason for their visit, whereas the latter value the landscape more highly than the visitors, taking it as something associated with the traditional rural world and as a reason to feel proud. This could be explained by means of a relaxed visit to the island from an anthropologist's perspective. A comparison between the 'assessment of the landscape by the local population' and 'landscape demand by visitors' can also be mapped, and could be better explained within the context of the research to which the present paper belongs.

Environmental valuation by the local population and visitors for zoning a protected area

“…Herein, the reason for declaring a national park in Fuerteventura is the high naturalistic values encountered therein (Hernández [8], Pineda [10], Lorenzo [32], Del Arco [33], Rodríguez-Delgado [34]), as well as the fact that the study area is a tourist resort that is attractive, but also classical (four s tourism), still presenting a low cultural value (Hernández and Pineda [15], Díaz et al [17], Ruiz-Labourdette et al [18], Rodríguez et al [19]). This fact is recognised by the tourism industry.…”

“…To date, there has been some interest in the theme, but rather methodological difficulties with regard to integrating locals or visitors in ecological assessments of the territory. However, there have been some studies in this sense (Díaz et al [17], Ruiz-Labourdette et al [18], Rodríguez et al [19], Aguilera et al [20], Schmitz et al [21,22]). Even less common is the incorporation of the quality of life and standard of living into the above mentioned assessment of thematic and environmental impact.…”

People and nature in the Fuerteventura Biosphere Reserve (Canary Islands): socio-ecological relationships under climate change

“…It is considered by some conservationists as a threat to plant species richness, while others see it as an activity in a historical equilibrium with nature that has been modified by the arrival of tourism and other new activities (Gangoso et al 2006). Today, residual agrarian and fishing activities coexist with the conservation of the natural and cultural landscape, which is very attractive for visitors and the development of tourism (Díaz et al 2010).…”

Resident and visitor perceptions of island tourism: green sea turtle ecotourism in Penghu Archipelago, Taiwan

“…A survey in Hawaii indicates that residents are more concerned about and feel more obligated to care for marine resources (Vaughan & Ardoin, 2014). Díaz et al (2010) study the valuation of landscape on a Spanish island and find that locals value natural components of the landscape higher than do tourists.…”