Perception of Local Actors About Tourism Indicator System for Destination Management. Loja Case Study

• Published in: International Conference on Tourism Research pp. 261 - XIV
• Main Authors: Gonzaga-Vallejo, L Clara, Guamán-Camacho, Yanina
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Academic Conferences International Limited 01.05.2021
• Subjects: Collaboration; Cooperation; Decision making; Observatories; Public policy; Questionnaires; Strategic planning; Sustainable development; Sustainable tourism; Tourism; Tourist attractions; Ecuador
• DOI: 10.34190/IRT.21.107
• ISSN: 2516-3612

Indicator systems are tools that allow knowing the actual situation of destinations and create a reference to promote public policies focused on sustainable development. In destination management, the indicator system helps direct and indirect actors in decision-making. In this context, we present the research done in the city of Loja-Ecuador, whose objective is to analyse the perception that local actors have on the system of tourism indicators for its management. Actors representing public and private institutions in the sector held an experts panel to achieve this aim. We used a questionnaire to collect information about three aspects: the system of indicators, the multi-sectoral organisation, and the associativity. The results show that the perception of the actors is favourable towards the system of indicators as a tool to establish strategies and improve management. The actors also state that the sector's organisational structure will contribute to the strengthening of companies and local development and will bring them business and business-tobusiness profits.