Tourism at Costalegre, Mexico: An ecosystem services-based exploration of current challenges and alternative futures. (February 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Riensche, M.; Castillo, A.; Flores-Díaz, A.; Maass, M.
• Is Part Of: Futures. Volume 66(2015:Feb.)
• Page Start: 70
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2015-02
• Subjects: Touristic ecosystem services -- Ecosystem services stewards and beneficiaries -- Scenario analysis -- Environmental discrepancies and conflicts -- Integrated social–ecological management; Economic forecasting -- Periodicals; Technological forecasting -- Periodicals; Economic policy -- Periodicals; Prévision économique -- Périodiques; Prévision technologique -- Périodiques; Politique économique -- Périodiques; Economic forecasting; Economic policy; Technological forecasting; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 330.0112
• DOI: 10.1016/j.futures.2014.12.012
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0016-3287

Abstract

Highlights: We identify ecosystem services (ES) enabling tourism activities at Costalegre. Future scenarios help to visualize effects on the social–ecological system. ES benefits are unequally distributed among stakeholders. Main ES stewards are not acknowledged by ES beneficiaries. Stakeholder dialogue and negotiation are needed to construct alternative futures. Abstract: Tourism, as all human activities, is dependent on the natural environment and its respective ecosystem services (ES). Different user groups manage and consume these touristic ES differently, resulting in discrepancies and potential conflicts. Despite the urgency to find inclusive local approaches for sustainable development, tourism studies still analyze socio-economic and ecological impacts separately and lack integrated social–ecological approaches to improve foresight in tourism planning. Based on a growing concern regarding the future of Costalegre on the Jalisco coast of Western Mexico, we analyze through interviews, surveys, and participant observation the dependence of tourism on specific ecosystem services and conduct a scenario analysis which shows present and future implications for the social–ecological system. Furthermore, this analysis shows in detail how different scenarios change ES provision and people's livelihoods. Key findings include identifying freshwater provision and cultural ES as the most important touristic ES. At a regional scale, peasants in ejidos are the main ES stewards, whereas high-class tourism facilities constitute important local stewards. Benefits, mainly access to freshwater and the beach, are unequally distributed, provoking conflicts among different ES user groups that may escalate in the near future. Improved communication between all user groups and strengthening of key political actors seem to be the most immediate recommendations to ensure the long term sustainability of this particular region. This work may contribute to improved planning and decision-making as our ES based scenarios are a first step to integrate social–ecological knowledge into improved decision-making. At a local scale, the study reveals the most likely future development options and their social and ecological consequences. It could also serve as a baseline for informed policy making.