An Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) model of tourism impacts in Cotopaxi National Park, Ecuador

Abstract

This research determined a Hierarchical Analytic Process (HAP) model that considers tourism impacts and their possible solutions to generate a hierarchy of all of them. The main trails and tourist sites in Cotopaxi National Park were identified using geographic information systems in order to investigate the main impacts of tourism activities and propose possible solutions. The prioritization of impacts was based on the use of the AHP, as well as on the proposed solutions to reduce these impacts in the park. The results show that the prioritized tourism impacts are: erosion, pollution, waste generation, loss of biodiversity, and job and income generation. Subsequently, the proposed solutions were the monitoring of tourist activities, environmental education, control of tourist entry, and the signposting of trails and tourist sites. The PAJ model was evaluated through surveys of experts, with erosion being identified as the most significant impact, while the preferred solution was the monitoring of tourist activities.