El turismo de naturaleza se ha conformado según los planteamientos académicos y las políticas turísticas en orden a un proceso lógico de evolución experimentada en el sector turístico en todo el mundo. Los impactos negativos que ha ocasionado el modelo convencional han puesto la voz de alarma, y todo el sector ha sido coadyuvado por el proceso general de la sostenibilidad en el desarrollo local, imperando en consecuencia el paradigma de la responsabilidad y sostenibilidad en los destinos turísticos. Tras un repaso conceptual del turismo de naturaleza convertido en un turismo alternativo, el presente artículo aporta las tendencias producidas en general, y la percepción de los paisajes culturales como producto turístico en particular. Finalmente se efectúa un análisis de las iniciativas para el fomento de un turismo de naturaleza alternativo y se ofrece una propuesta de planificación basada en el modelo de turismo responsable y sostenible, que actúe con garantía en el patrimonio natural y cultural como producto turístico sostenible.

Ecotourism has the eradication of poverty and environmental protection at its core. Both of these goals were established by the United Nations in 2012 though their development began in the 1980s. The purpose of this chapter is to analyse, using a comparative methodology, global and local eco-cultural tourism (natural, rural and urban areas) in tourist destinations of countries with emerging economies (Asia: China, Malaysia, Thailand), developed countries (Europe: Spain), and developing nations (South America: Peru, Argentina, Bolivia). The working hypothesis states that local, sustainable planning, endorsed by all the tourist agents is required, and should be led by the load capacity and the economic and environmental balance (green economies and ideologies), in order to answer to poverty and climate change problems by means of Tourist Projects directed by governmental policies and administrations. The outcomes suggest a need for a logistical change of policies, to prevent economies from generating pollution and carrying out abrasive activities associated with tourism. This change will create sustainable tourist destinations, the inclusion of populations, and the protection and conservation of natural and cultural heritage.

This paper offers an approach to Yucatecan social reality in terms of entrepreneurship and the process of creating companies dedicated to the production and/or commercialization of agroecological products, considering its contribution to sustainable rural development. The key actors’ perspective towards the existence of policies that favor land sustainability, assist in the development of rural areas and their population, and support these business initiatives is also presented. Likewise, it illustrates the small entrepreneurs’ standpoint on the role of public institutions in promoting wealth generation and sustainable development in lower growth areas, such as the state of Yucatan, in Mexico. A qualitative methodology was used for this research, based on in-depth interviews with a group of businessmen and -women from the region. The main results give a pessimistic view of institutional concern regarding both production and consumption of agroecological products and, therefore, the promotion of these enterprises for the socioeconomic development of Yucatan. From these findings, we detect: (a) A policy of scarce support for this type of production, due to political priorities; (b) inadequate management that prevents the consolidation of certain structures needed to support agroecological enterprises; (c) a lack of confidence in the Yucatecan government, which does not promote or support a social network of collaboration between agroecological producers and marketers; (d) a difficulty in undertaking agroecological enterprises because of social and cultural norms and poor environmental awareness among the population; (e) significant training deficiencies among entrepreneurs in agroecological agriculture; (f) absence of adequate distribution channels for agroecological products; and (g) excessive bureaucratic obstacles through laws that hinder entrepreneurial processes.

Hacia una gestión sostenible de las actividades turísticas en los espacios rurales y naturales

Red tourism, centered on historical sites of the Chinese revolution, serves as an educational tool that reinforces historical memory and patriotism among young people. Through a systematic literature review (PRISMA method), this research examines how red tourism meets learning needs regarding political culture by integrating tourism with education to enhance its pedagogical value. The important role of red tourism in patriotic education and the formation of national identity among Chinese youth is highlighted, although challenges such as the risk of political indoctrination and the lack of diversity in educational approaches are identified. The study proposes applying constructivist theories to improve the interactivity and effectiveness of red tourism in youth education and suggests integrating emerging technologies to enrich the educational experience.