Sustainable Development and Rural Tourism in Depopulated Areas

Abstract

The high degree of depopulation in certain areas of Spain is a serious threat to the country, and is aggravated by the ongoing loss of population from those areas. Rural tourism is one of the activities that can help prevent this depopulation. However, to successfully promote such tourism, we must consider the elements that have the greatest influence on tourists when they choose one location over another, or one accommodation over another. Extensive data have been collected from 1658 valid surveys of tourists in one of the most depopulated areas of Spain. Several multivariate techniques were then applied to the data, including Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Multiple Classification Analysis (MCA). Factors were obtained that identified both the different motivations that influence tourists, and the variables that identify the province based on its image. An analysis was then made of how both the variables thus identified the influence of the formation of the image that tourists take away from the visit. Tourists are most strongly motivated by natural landscapes, monuments, or events of cultural interest, i.e., natural and cultural attractions rather than social ones, and the cognitive image has the greatest influence on the formation of the new image. The principal findings of this research are that the future of many of these depopulated areas depends on successfully promoting both their beautiful landscapes and their cultural heritage, as well as developing and improving the areas themselves so that the depopulation is slowed down or even reversed, to the benefit of the local population. This would also benefit the local and regional authorities and the establishments linked to rural tourism in the area, increasing their profits and raising the level of employment in the province.

Enotourism in Southern Spain: The Montilla-Moriles PDO

“…For this, a strategic vision of a sector that integrates agriculture, development and tourism is necessary to prevent saturation of the rural environment and to promote environmental sustainability for generating wealth and employment. This statement coincides with studies from [ 28 , 34 , 35 ].…”

“…The current situation of the tourism market makes it necessary to promote the uniqueness of certain areas and unify marketing synergies [ 25 ] to offer a differentiated product; this approach will help Spain position itself as a benchmark for gastronomic tourism. The search for natural and healthier environments [ 26 ] has made rural areas the preferred destinations for travel by Spaniards after the pandemic [ 27 , 28 ] because recreational activities based on elements of rural culture can safely be carried out [ 29 ] in these environments. Within its services and products, this tourism segment includes sports [ 30 ], nature appreciation [ 31 ], learning about the gastronomic products of the area [ 32 , 33 , 34 ], e.g., coffee, cheeses, wines, mushrooms, and oils, or simply enjoying the tranquility that the rural environment offers.…”

Satisfaction Factors That Predict Loyalty in Ecotourism: A Study of Foreign Tourism in Costa Rica

“…Delving into loyalty and the sectors of the tourism ecosystem, López-Sanz et al [26], in a recent study, demonstrate how loyalty, translated into repeated visits to a tourist area and the recommendation to third parties, promotes and encourages the sustainable development of rural areas, generating several benefits for the tourist destination. It should be emphasized that tourism in rural areas largely depends on the successful promotion of both its beautiful landscapes and its cultural heritage, as well as the development and improvement of the areas, factors that even raise the level of employment in the tourist destination [27].…”

Protection and Revealing of Traditional Settlements and Cultural Assets, as a Tool for Sustainable Development: The Case of Kythera Island in Greece

“…More specifically, it aims at preserving the original use of a place's tangible and intangible heritage while ensuring its connection with the local community [3,4]. Subsequently, in traditional rural settlements, the preservation of agricultural heritage could contribute to social cohesion, ensuring environmental balance and rural development [5].…”