Demanda potencial del turismo de naturaleza en áreas protegidas de Sinaloa, México

Claudia Peraza Durán; Francisco Javier Martínez Cordero; Arturo Pérez Vázquez

doi:10.25145/j.pasos.2026.24.055

Authors

Claudia Peraza Durán Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4651-8553
Francisco Javier Martínez Cordero Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0398-3500
Arturo Pérez Vázquez Colegio de Postgraduados https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8440-7814

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25145/j.pasos.2026.24.055

Keywords:

tourist demand, tourist behaviour, market segmentation, ecotourism, protected areas, nature tourism, Sinaloa, Mexico

Abstract

Nature tourism has grown globally as an alternative to the mass tourism model. In this context, protected areas (PA) represent key spaces for diversifying the tourism offer of destination hubs. This study aimed to analyse the profile of potential tourism demand for PA in southern Sinaloa, identifying differences based on the origin of Mazatlán's residents and visitors regarding their willingness to visit, tourist behaviour, motivations, and preferences. A descriptive quantitative design was applied using questionnaires administered to 198 people divided into three segments (local, national, and international), with data analysed through descriptive statistics and the chi-square test. The results show a widespread positive disposition towards PA, with tourism motivations and preferences oriented towards contact with nature. The study discusses how these findings can guide strategies for designing the tourism offer and promoting PA among the stakeholders involved.

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Editor & editorial board: profiles
Academic society: PASOS. Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural
Publisher: Instituto Universitario de Investigación Social y Turismo. Universidad de La Laguna (España) - Instituto Universitario da Maia ISMAI (Portugal)

Author Biographies

Claudia Peraza Durán, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C.

PhD student at the Center for Food and Development Research (CIAD), A.C., Mazatlán Regional Unit, Sinaloa, Mexico, focusing on alternative tourism. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Biology from the Autonomous University of Sinaloa and a Master's degree in Science specializing in Environmental Management. Her academic and professional experience focuses on participatory processes for the sustainable management of biodiversity.

Francisco Javier Martínez Cordero, Centro de Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C.

Francisco Javier Martínez Cordero obtained his PhD in Agricultural and Natural Resource
Economics from the University of Hawaii-Manoa, and his Master of Science from the Institute
of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Scotland. He is currently a research professor at Centro de
Investigación en Alimentación y Desarrollo, A.C. (CIAD) where his research focuses on
socioeconomics, sustainable development, and public policy evaluations.

Arturo Pérez Vázquez, Colegio de Postgraduados

Arturo Pérez-Vázquez is a research professor at the College of Postgraduates, Campus Veracruz, Mexico. He obtained his PhD in Sustainable Agriculture from Imperial College, England (http://www.wye. c.uk/sme/students.html), where he was awarded the Imperial College Research Award. He obtained his Master of Science in Botany from the College of Postgraduates and his degree in Biology from Universidad Veracruzana, Mexico. In 2015, he undertook a sabbatical at the University of Kent. He obtained a Diploma in Organic Agriculture from IFOAM (2013–2014) and is currently a member of the National Research System (SNI) of the National Council of Science and Technology of Mexico (2003–2023). To date, he has graduated 13 undergraduate students, 16 Master students, and 13 PhD students.

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