The Central Andes and sustainable development: The Mendoza High Mountains Strategic Plan, Argentina

MARCELO REYNOSO; MARÍA CLARA RUBIO; PAMELA SALINAS; FEDERICO MORABITO; ELENA ABRAHAM; CECILIA RUBIO; LORENA GIL FAIN BINDA,; CECILIA ZABALA; FABIÁN DÍAZ; SILVIA LO BELLO; PABLO BETANCOURT ; GUSTAVO GARCÍA

Mountain tourism ? Towards a more sustainable path.

FAO & UNWTO

Lugar: Roma; Año: 2021; p. 49 - 50

Mountains are important tourism destinations worldwide and attract visitorsfor their scenic beauty, sports attractions and rich cultural heritage. Tourismrepresents a source of income and economic opportunities for remote ruralmountain communities. It can also help to revitalize local traditions and foodsystems.However, tourism is also associated with potentially negative impacts onecosystems, such as pollution and biodiversity loss, as well as on the social andcultural fabric of mountain communities. Climate change is one of the greatestchallenges in mountain destinations, with impacts that include a reduction inperiods of snow cover and an increase in the risk of extreme weather events.The fragility of the natural, social and cultural heritage that is inherent tomountain regions determines the competitiveness and quality of tourisminitiatives offered in mountains. A sustainable approach to mountain tourismin all countries is therefore imperative, in order to promote long-term growth,while maintaining a balanced use of resources.The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all levels of the tourism value chain,including both supply and demand. Its impacts are reshaping the tourismsector and redefining tourism products and services. The post-COVID-19 eramay bring new opportunities to mountain areas, as demand grows for lesscrowded destinations and the need to reconnect with open spaces and natureincreases. The increased digitalization associated with the COVID-19 crisisalso provides an opportunity to attract remote workers and digital nomads,contributing to local development and helping to reverse population decline.Specific challenges for tourism development in mountain areas include healthand safety issues, as well as crisis management, since natural or man-madehazards such as floods, landslides, earthquakes and conflicts can interruptaccess and services for months or years, destroy assets and put the life oftourists at risk.In developing mountain tourism, it is critical to generate income diversificationand revitalize products and services, with a shift from high-impact tourismproducts and activities to low-impact, climate-sensitive ones. New andinnovative products can transform mountain areas into attractive touristdestinations, particularly for the shoulder season. Among the many possibilitiesare gastronomy tourism, community-based tourism, spiritual tourism, wellnesstourism, rural tourism, agritourism and cultural tourism.The case studies featured in this publication highlight solutions beingimplemented or tested in mountain regions around the world. Many haveinvolved rethinking tourist initiatives or creating new opportunities, and all ofthem seek to bring tangible benefits to local communities, while helping toenhance the conservation of the unique mountain heritage.