Integrated assessment of the renovation of mature touristic destinations using participatory multi-criteria methods: The case of Puerto de la Cruz

Abstract

This study examines the impact of renovation plans on mature tourist destinations through the utilisation of multicriteria methodologies and participatory approaches, with a specific focus on Puerto de la Cruz in the Canary Islands. The tourism sector, characterised by instances of governmental intervention stemming from market inefficiencies and external factors, strikes a delicate equilibrium between individual economic interests and public regulations. This study highlights principal obstacles encountered in developed destinations, such as physical and operational outdating, underscoring the significance of adaptable, context-specific rejuvenation protocols. By employing the NAIADE multi-criteria evaluation technique, this research amalgamates both quantitative and qualitative information, comprising surveys, discussions, and geospatial data, to evaluate the efficacy of renovation efforts. The results underscore the advantages of integrating multi-criteria decision-making with participatory methodologies to analyse the results of the revitalization of tourist destinations. This methodology facilitates the inclusion of a variety of stakeholder viewpoints, thereby enriching the significance of the proposed methodology. The results from Puerto de la Cruz provide insights into how systematic and inclusive assessment frameworks can support the successful modernization of ageing tourist areas.