Evaluation of natural attractions of the isle Gran Canaria for tourism requirements

Abstract

The study analyzes the natural attractions of the island of Gran Canaria and subsequently how to improve their usability for tourism. In the analysis, such natural attractions were chosen like natural monuments and beaches belonging to the Blue Flag programme. Other natural attractions were chosen according to their originality. The assessment of the selected attractive places is based partly on quantified criteria (distance, elevation, area, length, etc.), and on expert assessments using the criteria that affect the properties of the evaluated objects relevant to tourism. The principles of description of the selected indicators for the evaluated attractions vary by type of objects and the existing conditions of their spatial distribution and tourism facilities. The proposed methodology for evaluating natural attractions has proven suitable for the needs of the selection of attractions for geoscience and montanistic tourism products. The necessary data are readily obtainable both from maps and from our own observations. On the basis of the analysis, certain modifications of the selected attractions were recommended, and an cognitive excursion route oriented on natural attractive places of the island was designed.