Design of a methodology to evaluate the implementation of a sustainable tourism model: the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism in the Garajonay National Park, La Gomera

Abstract

This article describes the methodology designed and used to evaluate the implementation of the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (CETS) in the Garajonay National Park (La Gomera, Canary Islands). CETS is a document sponsored by the EUROPARC Federation (forum where Protected Natural Areas are represented at European level), which aims to apply the concept of sustainable development to tourism in Europe’s protected areas. In the absence of standardized or formal systems for the evaluation of such processes, from the Technical Office that manages the implementation of the CETS in La Gomera, an assessment methodology applicable both in this territory and in other protected natural areas accredited with the Charter has been designed. The system is composed of a series of thematic blocks that are evaluated using quantitative and qualitative indicators. The application of the methodology developed has proved to be strategically successful in identifying existing barriers, objectives achieved and not achieved, of the progress achieved and the potential arising from the implementation of the CETS, and of course for the planning of new objectives and actions.