The environment as the core tourism attractiveness asset. A case study of Menorca (Spain) and Bonito (Brazil)

Abstract

[eng] This paper explores how touristic destinations manage their natural environment to enhance and maintain the long-run potential of their tourism industry. To do this, two destinations which have in common their natural environment as a core attractive asset where studied, these being: Menorca in Spain and Bonito in Brazil. To understand how this has been managed, an extensive literature review and primary data collected from interviews and a survey destined to people of influence in the two destinations has been used. Both, to see how this has been managed as a whole around the world, and more specifically, in Menorca and Bonito. Both destinations have different tourism models, and as such, have different priorities and have different management policies in place. Bonito mainly focused on the carrying capacity and making sure there is no over-tourism that would damage its delicate ecosystem and Menorca, being a UNESCO Biosphere reserve and making its own policies and plans to ensure the preservation of its natural ecosystems both land and marine flora and fauna. Alongside preserving its cultural heritage and identity towards the threat of ongoing mass-tourism.