El turismo de aventura como segmento para el desarrollo turístico del cantón Jama.

Abstract

This thesis explores the adventure tourism modality as an important segment for the development of tourist activities, highlighting its potential for economic growth, improving the tourist industry by professionalizing the development of activities and promoting the conservation of ecological areas of interest for tourism and the community where the tourist attraction is located. The research evaluates the economic impact of adventure tourism on traditionally less visited attractions in the Jama canton, assesses the positive and negative effects on local infrastructure and evaluates the impact on the conservation of the local environment. In the development of this research, qualitative and quantitative methods were used, including case studies, surveys of inhabitants of the Jama canton, tour operators of the Jama canton, professionals of the Jama canton and visitors of the Jama canton and analysis of quantitative, qualitative, environmental and economic data. The research reveals that adventure tourism can generate social, environmental and economic benefits and improve the tourist industry while generating ecological awareness in the inhabitants and visitors to the Jama canton. It also recommends the need to establish sustainable management practices, as well as a strategy to balance benefits with negative impacts on attractions. Recommendations include the development of local and national public policies on sustainable tourism, as well as planning by municipal government, as well as including communities in tourism planning and the promotion of responsible tourism practices through the association of tour operators.