Raquel Santos-Lacueva | Universitat Rovira i Virgili (original) (raw)

Research by Raquel Santos-Lacueva

In book: Turismo Pos-Covid-19: Reflexiones, retos y oportunidades, 2020

Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2019

Climate change affects tourism and tourism affects climate change. Thus, both adaptation and miti... more Climate change affects tourism and tourism affects climate change. Thus, both adaptation and mitigation strategies are needed to guarantee the sustainability of destinations. As well as the direct impacts of climate change, the effectiveness of these strategies determines the vulnerability of destinations. This paper compares the Riviera Maya (Mexican Caribbean) and Alt Maresme (Spanish Mediterranean) to identify the contextual socio-political factors that influence the vulnerability of destinations to climate change. Thirty-six semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders from tourism and the environment, public organizations, NGOs, and different levels of the public administration at both destinations. This research focuses on the perception of risk and agenda setting, the stakeholders’ involvement and the limitations of public action. The results show that awareness is greater, climate change is more important to the tourism agenda and private organizations are more involved in the Riviera Maya than in Alt Maresme. Five socio-political aspects are identified and discussed to explain the results: the destination’s evolution; the characteristics and evolution of tourism policy; extreme meteorological events as breaking points for policies; the socioeconomic context and the dependence on tourism; and the characteristics of the tourism offer, such as the dependence on natural resources and seasonality.

Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2018

The relationship between tourism and climate change is reciprocal. The effects of climate change ... more The relationship between tourism and climate change is reciprocal. The effects of climate change on tourism are undeniable. However, tourism and climate change are complex and cross-cutting phenomena that enter policy agendas at different moments and with different discourses. This paper analyses the coherence between the policy domains of climate and tourism at the formulation stage of the policy process, focusing on national and regional government levels and the key touristic offer in Spain – that of sun, sea and sand. The proposed method analyses three dimensions within policy documents: frame significance, policy scope and connotation. Results reveal the imbalance between the two policy domains; the lack of concrete actions and stable mechanisms for achieving greater coherence; and the different conceptions of the issue. The paper considers the causal relationships between tourism and climate change, the consequences of mutual impacts, and the temporal dimension of problem framing. This research brings together three fields of knowledge – tourism, climate change and public policies – and suggests enhancing coherence between tourism and climate policies in order to address the sustainability of tourism destinations.

Sustainability, Special Issue Tourism Planning and Sustainable Development, 2017

Climate change conditions the sustainability of coastal destinations. This paper looks at the phy... more Climate change conditions the sustainability of coastal destinations. This paper looks at the physical conditions that determine exposure and sensitivity to and risk from climate change and explores the sociopolitical contextual factors that determine the vulnerability of destinations. We define a destination’s vulnerability to climate change as being a reduction in its attractiveness caused by climate change combined with the consequences of adaptation and mitigation strategies. To be more specific, this paper aims to discuss the linkage between policymaking and the vulnerability of coastal destinations to climate change. We look at how this vulnerability is determined by decision-making, policies and strategies and propose an innovative analytical framework to assess vulnerability using a policy analysis approach. It is our intention to combine a content analysis of policy documents with an analysis of the perceptions and opinions of the stakeholders that influence decision-making. The paper deals with the complex, multiple, dynamic and fuzzy attributes that characterize all the items that make up this kind of research: climate change (phenomenon), vulnerability (variable), policy analysis (method), policy contents and stakeholder perceptions (indicators), coastal destinations (territorial system) and tourism (activity and policy).

In Global Climate Change and Coastal Tourism: Recognizing Problems, Managing Solutions and Future... more In Global Climate Change and Coastal Tourism: Recognizing Problems, Managing Solutions and Future Expectations (Eds. A Jones & M Phillips), Chapter 14, pp 170-180, CABI.

Cuadernos de Turismo, 2017

Tourism is a strategic activity for the Spanish economy, because of its compensatory effects on t... more Tourism is a strategic activity for the Spanish economy, because of its compensatory effects on the imbalance in the balance of payments, and also due to its broad-based nature and its ability to provide momentum for other economic areas (Cuadrado Roura and López Morales, 2011). " Sun and sand " tourism is based on favourable weather conditions and on the use of natural resources in coastal areas. It is consumed in situ and therefore should not be considered in isolation from environmental planning or regional planning. Furthermore, its development should not exceed the capacity of the destinations involved (Vera Rebollo and Baños Castiñera, 2004). In order to ensure the future sustainability of Spanish sun and sand tourism, it is necessary to address some of the environmental impacts it generates, which are mainly linked to its high spatial and seasonal concentration, overcrowding of the coast and the mass tourism that mainly affects the quality of the resources on which tourism is based, including sea water, beaches and the countryside. Sun and sand tourism must also face new challenges, including climate change. Public intervention is therefore necessary, and its effectiveness and relevance will be crucial in determining the success and future sustainability of tourist destinations. As a consequence, it is essential to analyse and increase the instruments for public action that enhance the sector's future sustainability. From the perspective of its environmental impact, the growth of sun and sand tourism in Spain has had shortcomings in planning. The lack of planning instruments was mentioned as early as the National Tourism Plan of 1953, but the first specific references

CCTR Conference Proceedings, pp 129-135, ISBN: 978-605-9178-18-1, 2015

Pasos, Special Issue Public Action and Tourism Policy, 2016

La pertinencia de las políticas, planes y estrategias adoptadas en respuesta al cambio climático,... more La pertinencia de las políticas, planes y estrategias adoptadas en respuesta al cambio climático, condicionan la capacidad de los destinos turísticos para adaptarse a los nuevos escenarios y para mitigar los impactos negativos de la actividad turística. Los stakeholders influyen en la toma de decisiones sobre dichas políticas, planes y estrategias, y por tanto determinan la vulnerabilidad y la sostenibilidad futura de
los destinos turísticos. El análisis de sus percepciones contribuye a mejorar la gestión de los destinos ante el cambio climático. Mediante entrevistas a los stakeholders se pone de manifiesto la elevada influencia que el cambio climático ejerce sobre la actividad turística en la Riviera Maya, que de forma urgente debe hacer frente al aumento del nivel del mar, los fenómenos meteorológicos extremos y el blanqueamiento de los corales. Para lograr el éxito de las estrategias, es crucial identificar los actores clave del proceso y superar las limitaciones económicas, la falta de concienciación y la coordinación deficiente entre actores e instituciones.

ICOT Conference Proceedings, pp. 336-347 ISSN 2241-9314/ISBN 978-618-81503-0-0, 2015

Cuadernos de Turismo, 2017

El turismo de sol y playa es una actividad estratégica para la economía española que depende alta... more El turismo de sol y playa es una actividad estratégica para la economía española que depende altamente de los recursos naturales que la posibilitan. Para garantizar su competitividad y su sostenibilidad futura es imprescindible la incorporación de medidas ambientales en la política turística. El análisis crítico argumentativo de los tres últimos planes turísticos aprobados por el gobierno de España permite observar el alcance y las limitaciones de la incorporación de tales medidas. Los poderes públicos reconocen la persistencia de los problemas ambientales pero esto no siempre se ha plasmado en los planes.

Pasos, Special Issue Public Action and Tourism Policy, 2016

Tourism activity is conditioned by dynamics of global change, such as changes on energy and trans... more Tourism activity is conditioned by dynamics of global change, such as changes on energy and transport system, environment degradation, emergence of new destinations, or climate change, among others. Thus, not only the tourism model basis, but also the potential impacts of global change, puts into question its sustainability.
Sustainability is related with the vulnerability level of destinations. Although there is no consensus about how to evaluate tourism vulnerability, this research assumes that the vulnerability level is highly determined by policies, strategies and plans.
In this context, we present a framework to analyze the vulnerability of destinations taking into account the evaluation of policies, strategies and plans. On the other hand, we offer an approach to tourism policies in the Mediterranean Spanish Coast which deal with climate change. Concretely, identify whether the last three tourist Spanish plans aware about this issue, or not, and what is proposed in order to mitigate negative impacts or to adapt to new scenarios.

Papers by Raquel Santos-Lacueva

PASOS Revista de turismo y patrimonio cultural, 2016

In book: Turismo Pos-Covid-19: Reflexiones, retos y oportunidades, 2020

Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2019

Climate change affects tourism and tourism affects climate change. Thus, both adaptation and miti... more Climate change affects tourism and tourism affects climate change. Thus, both adaptation and mitigation strategies are needed to guarantee the sustainability of destinations. As well as the direct impacts of climate change, the effectiveness of these strategies determines the vulnerability of destinations. This paper compares the Riviera Maya (Mexican Caribbean) and Alt Maresme (Spanish Mediterranean) to identify the contextual socio-political factors that influence the vulnerability of destinations to climate change. Thirty-six semi-structured interviews were conducted with key stakeholders from tourism and the environment, public organizations, NGOs, and different levels of the public administration at both destinations. This research focuses on the perception of risk and agenda setting, the stakeholders’ involvement and the limitations of public action. The results show that awareness is greater, climate change is more important to the tourism agenda and private organizations are more involved in the Riviera Maya than in Alt Maresme. Five socio-political aspects are identified and discussed to explain the results: the destination’s evolution; the characteristics and evolution of tourism policy; extreme meteorological events as breaking points for policies; the socioeconomic context and the dependence on tourism; and the characteristics of the tourism offer, such as the dependence on natural resources and seasonality.

Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2018

The relationship between tourism and climate change is reciprocal. The effects of climate change ... more The relationship between tourism and climate change is reciprocal. The effects of climate change on tourism are undeniable. However, tourism and climate change are complex and cross-cutting phenomena that enter policy agendas at different moments and with different discourses. This paper analyses the coherence between the policy domains of climate and tourism at the formulation stage of the policy process, focusing on national and regional government levels and the key touristic offer in Spain – that of sun, sea and sand. The proposed method analyses three dimensions within policy documents: frame significance, policy scope and connotation. Results reveal the imbalance between the two policy domains; the lack of concrete actions and stable mechanisms for achieving greater coherence; and the different conceptions of the issue. The paper considers the causal relationships between tourism and climate change, the consequences of mutual impacts, and the temporal dimension of problem framing. This research brings together three fields of knowledge – tourism, climate change and public policies – and suggests enhancing coherence between tourism and climate policies in order to address the sustainability of tourism destinations.

Sustainability, Special Issue Tourism Planning and Sustainable Development, 2017

Climate change conditions the sustainability of coastal destinations. This paper looks at the phy... more Climate change conditions the sustainability of coastal destinations. This paper looks at the physical conditions that determine exposure and sensitivity to and risk from climate change and explores the sociopolitical contextual factors that determine the vulnerability of destinations. We define a destination’s vulnerability to climate change as being a reduction in its attractiveness caused by climate change combined with the consequences of adaptation and mitigation strategies. To be more specific, this paper aims to discuss the linkage between policymaking and the vulnerability of coastal destinations to climate change. We look at how this vulnerability is determined by decision-making, policies and strategies and propose an innovative analytical framework to assess vulnerability using a policy analysis approach. It is our intention to combine a content analysis of policy documents with an analysis of the perceptions and opinions of the stakeholders that influence decision-making. The paper deals with the complex, multiple, dynamic and fuzzy attributes that characterize all the items that make up this kind of research: climate change (phenomenon), vulnerability (variable), policy analysis (method), policy contents and stakeholder perceptions (indicators), coastal destinations (territorial system) and tourism (activity and policy).

In Global Climate Change and Coastal Tourism: Recognizing Problems, Managing Solutions and Future... more In Global Climate Change and Coastal Tourism: Recognizing Problems, Managing Solutions and Future Expectations (Eds. A Jones & M Phillips), Chapter 14, pp 170-180, CABI.

Cuadernos de Turismo, 2017

Tourism is a strategic activity for the Spanish economy, because of its compensatory effects on t... more Tourism is a strategic activity for the Spanish economy, because of its compensatory effects on the imbalance in the balance of payments, and also due to its broad-based nature and its ability to provide momentum for other economic areas (Cuadrado Roura and López Morales, 2011). " Sun and sand " tourism is based on favourable weather conditions and on the use of natural resources in coastal areas. It is consumed in situ and therefore should not be considered in isolation from environmental planning or regional planning. Furthermore, its development should not exceed the capacity of the destinations involved (Vera Rebollo and Baños Castiñera, 2004). In order to ensure the future sustainability of Spanish sun and sand tourism, it is necessary to address some of the environmental impacts it generates, which are mainly linked to its high spatial and seasonal concentration, overcrowding of the coast and the mass tourism that mainly affects the quality of the resources on which tourism is based, including sea water, beaches and the countryside. Sun and sand tourism must also face new challenges, including climate change. Public intervention is therefore necessary, and its effectiveness and relevance will be crucial in determining the success and future sustainability of tourist destinations. As a consequence, it is essential to analyse and increase the instruments for public action that enhance the sector's future sustainability. From the perspective of its environmental impact, the growth of sun and sand tourism in Spain has had shortcomings in planning. The lack of planning instruments was mentioned as early as the National Tourism Plan of 1953, but the first specific references

CCTR Conference Proceedings, pp 129-135, ISBN: 978-605-9178-18-1, 2015

Pasos, Special Issue Public Action and Tourism Policy, 2016

La pertinencia de las políticas, planes y estrategias adoptadas en respuesta al cambio climático,... more La pertinencia de las políticas, planes y estrategias adoptadas en respuesta al cambio climático, condicionan la capacidad de los destinos turísticos para adaptarse a los nuevos escenarios y para mitigar los impactos negativos de la actividad turística. Los stakeholders influyen en la toma de decisiones sobre dichas políticas, planes y estrategias, y por tanto determinan la vulnerabilidad y la sostenibilidad futura de
los destinos turísticos. El análisis de sus percepciones contribuye a mejorar la gestión de los destinos ante el cambio climático. Mediante entrevistas a los stakeholders se pone de manifiesto la elevada influencia que el cambio climático ejerce sobre la actividad turística en la Riviera Maya, que de forma urgente debe hacer frente al aumento del nivel del mar, los fenómenos meteorológicos extremos y el blanqueamiento de los corales. Para lograr el éxito de las estrategias, es crucial identificar los actores clave del proceso y superar las limitaciones económicas, la falta de concienciación y la coordinación deficiente entre actores e instituciones.

ICOT Conference Proceedings, pp. 336-347 ISSN 2241-9314/ISBN 978-618-81503-0-0, 2015

Cuadernos de Turismo, 2017

El turismo de sol y playa es una actividad estratégica para la economía española que depende alta... more El turismo de sol y playa es una actividad estratégica para la economía española que depende altamente de los recursos naturales que la posibilitan. Para garantizar su competitividad y su sostenibilidad futura es imprescindible la incorporación de medidas ambientales en la política turística. El análisis crítico argumentativo de los tres últimos planes turísticos aprobados por el gobierno de España permite observar el alcance y las limitaciones de la incorporación de tales medidas. Los poderes públicos reconocen la persistencia de los problemas ambientales pero esto no siempre se ha plasmado en los planes.

Pasos, Special Issue Public Action and Tourism Policy, 2016

Tourism activity is conditioned by dynamics of global change, such as changes on energy and trans... more Tourism activity is conditioned by dynamics of global change, such as changes on energy and transport system, environment degradation, emergence of new destinations, or climate change, among others. Thus, not only the tourism model basis, but also the potential impacts of global change, puts into question its sustainability.
Sustainability is related with the vulnerability level of destinations. Although there is no consensus about how to evaluate tourism vulnerability, this research assumes that the vulnerability level is highly determined by policies, strategies and plans.
In this context, we present a framework to analyze the vulnerability of destinations taking into account the evaluation of policies, strategies and plans. On the other hand, we offer an approach to tourism policies in the Mediterranean Spanish Coast which deal with climate change. Concretely, identify whether the last three tourist Spanish plans aware about this issue, or not, and what is proposed in order to mitigate negative impacts or to adapt to new scenarios.