A Theoretical–Methodological Model for Communities Engaged in Alternative Tourism: Integrating the 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Structures

Abstract

This study proposes a theoretical–methodological model for communities engaged in alternative tourism, based on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in alternative development structures—understood as organizational forms that differ from the dominant economic model by prioritizing communal and sustainable principles. Through a theoretical, exploratory–descriptive, and qualitative approach, the research adapts an analytical model previously applied to conventional tourism areas and redirects it toward rural territories with tourism potential. The resulting model, named METACORTAL, offers a structured methodology aimed at strengthening community processes and guiding the implementation of sustainable tourism practices. A total of 15 goals, 36 targets, and 49 indicators from the 2030 Agenda are identified as aligned with alternative tourism and with at least one form of alternative development structure. This study is highly relevant for policymakers, community leaders, and tourism stakeholders seeking to link local development with global sustainability frameworks. By offering a practical decision-making tool, it contributes to advancing the SDGs through inclusive and context-sensitive tourism models.