Tourist observatory: a management tool for sun and beach tourism in the province of Santa Elena

Abstract

Tourism in the province of Santa Elena has become a sector of great importance, which has been not only supported by government policies, but also by initiatives of businessmen and communities. Tourism planning has become the best tool for successful and sustainable development of the activity aiming towards the objectives set in the National Plan for Good Living, by following the guidelines established by PLANDETUR (Strategic Development Plan for Sustainable Tourism in Ecuador) 2020, while accepting at the same time, the recommendations based on reality where tourism arises. One of the tangible needs is based on the lack of reliable information available about the characteristics of the demand in respect to the Sun and Beach tourism offer; which is the leading product of the province.  This data is significant to support decision-making for each of the actors that make up this vast sector.  This paper shows some results obtained in the investigation through the application of actions taken to design a tourist observatory targeted to the Sun and Beach tourism in Santa Elena, and monitored through the establishment of a base for the guidelines of a management system for tourism information, and by the establishment of the profile of domestic demand.