Tourism Management in Protected Areas: Exploring the Case of Collaborative Governance in the Protected Area of Delta of Ebro (Spain)

Tourism management in protected areas is a key issue in order to achieve an equilibrium between tourism activities and environment sustainability. In this research, we analyze the collaborative governance model introduced in the protected area of Ebro Delta in Catalonia, Spain, through the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism (ECST).  Collaborative governance in protected areas implies active participation of stakeholders in the tourism development process to achieve shared long-term objectives and promoting the conservation of landscapes. The methodology used has combined in-depth interviews carried out to the main territorial actors with a survey made to the tourism stakeholders. Results show the ECST partnership has contributed to the improvement of tourism management in the protected area, nevertheless its effects have not been as expected mainly as a consequence of the existence of a lack in the coordination among municipalities and territorial institutions of the geographical area. That is, territorial governance has limited the outcomes of ECST. It is also necessary to underline the Natural Park (EDNP) leadership in promoting collaboration and achieving stakeholder commitment to the agreements reached and environmental sustainability.