RELATIONAL ANALYSIS OF TOURISM SYSTEMS. AN ALTERNATIVE FRAMEWORK OF TOURISM PLANNING PROCESSES

Abstract

The processes of tourism understanding and analysis can be explained through a complex system composed of multiple stakeholders. This is why the functioning of a tourism destination depends on the management of the relations that occur between the various components. This article presents the results of a qualitative study in which fundamental conclusions of expert consultations are combined with some of the most significant studies on collaboration and management of tourism networks. Network management is crucial in tourism planning processes due to its ability to generate more equitable and efficient results. This study defines the priority areas of these relations for each pair of actors, including those related to knowledge, promotion, finance, infrastructure management and services, control of impacts, safety and health, among others. Tourism planning processes should incorporate this structure of relations, encourage stakeholder participation and integrate the mechanism that maximizes the competitiveness and sustainability of the tourism system