Characterization Of Visitors To Natural Areas InThe Southeast Of Spain

The management of natural areas requires a knowledge of what tourists demand in order that these resources can be optimized. A survey was carried out in an area in the southeast of Spain, which contains three protected natural spaces, with the aim of finding out the types and characteristics of visitors. The data were treated using an agglomerative multivariate classification technique. The results allowed differentiation of two main types of visitors: generalists and specialists. Both showed a high interest in contemplation of the landscape and contact with nature. The generalist tourists place a low value on the wildlife and rural properties of the landscape, with their motives for visiting being related to leisure activities. The specialist tourists are highly interested in nature and wildlife, observation of birds and other fauna; they know the emblematic species of the area and appreciate the rural culture. Within this specialist tourist group, three subtypes can be identified: the rural specialist – who likes and knows about the agricultural landscape, such as the matorral, rivers, springs and the mountain landscape; the cultural specialist – who values the historical monuments, the local folklore and fiestas; and the adventure specialist – who typically undertakes sporting activities in the fields and open land.