Opportunities in tourism ecology. The Paradores Network as a case study of tele-coupling between the countryside and the city.

Abstract

This article applies complex systems science to examine the role of the Spanish National Network of Paradores as a potential agent of transition towards regenerative tourism. Using the conceptual framework of Coupled Human and Natural Systems (CHANS) and the adaptive cycle, the study analyses the impacts of this public hotel network on rural and natural territories. The analysis reveals that certain features of the Paradores’ tourism offer help to promote territorial stewardship and community resilience. However, under other circumstances, they may contribute to processes of disarticulation within the territorial systems in which they are embedded. Considering the public nature of Paradores and its mission as a benchmark institution in tourism culture, the article argues for the need to strengthen its agency through three main lines of action: fostering conscious tourism, promoting practices that contribute to local governance, and driving the transformation of infrastructure and travel-related mobility systems in order to minimise energy consumption and cultural and ecological impacts. The article concludes that Paradores has significant potential to play a relevant role in the transition towards more conscious and regenerative tourism models in rural and natural environments. 

Keywords:

regenerative tourism, coupled human and natural systems (CHANS), community and ecological landscape resilience, rural tourism, complex systems, Paradores

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