Towards a new local sustainable development model for a consolidated tourist destination: the case of Los Cabos, Mexico

Abstract

When a tourism destination reaches maturity and a distinguished position on the international markets, it is necessary to reconsider its development model to maintain the competitivity in the long term. This is the case of Los Cabos, Mexico, where negative impacts are noticed due to the implementation of the same model of development for more than three decades. Severe damages were caused both in the city and on the environment, added to social problems, inequity and infrastructure deficit.The objective of this paper is to analyse and assess the problems in tourism management and planning of the site through a predictive-descriptive model of Los Cabos´ life cycle, and to raise some proposals for a redesigning of the actual model with the participation of all actors involved in the local development.This research is based on the methodology for key strategies of action for local development and the multivariate analysis applied to local development with sustainable tourism approach. The empirical part of the study consists of questionnaires to businesses and other main actors of tourism development in Los Cabos.The results of the research show that the variables: technological innovation, competitivity and business cooperation are directly related to the new development model design for this tourism site. To mainstream them into the processes of planning and management will foster the long-term competitivity and the sustainable local development in Los Cabos.

Creating a Tourism Destination through Local Heritage: The Stakeholders’ Priorities in the Canavese Area (Northwest Italy)

“…In many tourist destinations, the need to innovate the tourism proposal is a priority, and related solutions can be oriented to change the region's policies to have a perspective of social and environmental sustainability [33,34] and/or implement tools that can help in designing effective regional development strategies, such as in the cases of protected areas [35,36] and urban areas [37,38]. At the same time, a region characterized by a heritage that can be exploited for tourism purposes is not a tourist destination, but it can become one if there is active participation by local stakeholders oriented towards sustainable regional development [32,[39][40][41]. This approach encourages the formation of a local identity and the self-identification of citizens with their region and local resources, for tourist destinations both new and consolidated.…”

La actividad turística y su impacto en la estructura sectorial de la economía de Baja California Sur, México

“…anteriormente, están asociadas al modelo de desarrollo turístico seguido por BCS desde 1976, cuando el Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo (Fonatur) desarrolla dos complejos turísticos costeros sustentados en la noción de Centros Integralmente Planificados (CIP): Loreto, al norte de la entidad; y Los Cabos, en el extremo sur(Montaño e Ivanova, 2015). De los CIP mencionados, Los Cabos Economía, Población y Desarrollo.…”