Diseño de un sistema de monitoreo de la actividad turística a partir de indicadores reconocidos por los miembros de la comunidad de Mollejones en Turrialba – Costa Rica.

Abstract

The design of the monitoring system of tourist activity through recognized indicators by Members of” Comunidad de Mollejones” in Turrialba, Costa Rica. It collected information through field visits, tours of attractions and tourist routes in the study area. The workshops were aimed to “Grupo Agro-Eco-Cultural de Turismo Rural Comunitario Mollejones” which has 17 community leaders who allowed gathering information about tourism activities. It raises the Adaptive Monitoring system for Rural Community Tourism (SMATRC) as a result of this study by including 10 topics that have to do with social, natural and cultural aspects. Whereby generated measurable and quantifiable indicators that included 28 standards, 14 instructional materials and 14 protocols including an explanatory detail for each of the steps of the system. It concludes SMATRC system is an easy tool to use that adjusts to the dynamic and reality of local actors helping to reduce and control the social, natural and cultural impacts of tourism activity in communities. It recommends the implementation of SMATRC system for monitoring and promoting sustainable tourism in Ecuador and mainly in communities that promote community tourism.