The Santurbán region's parties involved in the advancement of sustainable tourism were analyzed using MACTOR (Burbano et al., 2022). Based on this analysis, the results found for the most critical actors in the interactions, such as surveys, interviews, literature review, etc., reviews be presented below.
4. Mactor Analysis
After entering data in MACTOR software, the direct and indirect influences for sustainable and intelligent tourism growth were obtained. This analysis allowed us to know the determining actors.
Figure 5 shows the results generated by the MACTOR software, providing a visual representation of the results. These are presented in four quadrants according to the relationship of influence and dependence between them (Ben-Daoud et al., 2022; Castaño-Castellanos & Becerra-Ardila, 2020; Mohamed et al., 2021); in the lower left half-plane are the autonomous actors corresponding to Mining Associations (AsoMineros) and Actors of the armed conflict in Colombia (AcConArC). In the lower right half-plane are the actors with strong influence on the advancement of sustainable tourism but with low dependence, which indicates that they are significant but not necessary in this case, Large mining companies (GranEmpMin), Conservation experts (ExpEnConse), Academia and almost at the proper upper limit the Transporters to the páramo zone (TransParam). In the upper left half-plane are the dominant actors that have strong influence and low dependence; they have the power to influence the process, but their dependence on the system in the implementation of the strategic challenges is low, corresponding to traders in the area (ComerZon), farmers associations (AsoCamST), environmental conservation entities (EntMedAmb) and bordering almost on the limits are hoteliers and private and public banks (BanPuYPri). Finally, in the right half-plane, the linking actors, the latter being the most important in the further development of the strategic challenges. These include the national (GobNacion), departmental (GobDepart), and local (GobMunic) governments, as well as the inhabitants (HabZona) and landowners (DueñosPred), travel agencies (AgeViaje) and tourist guides (GuíTurís).
Mactor allows us to observe the convergences and divergences between the actors that participated in the study. Figure 6 shows these relationships, with the most decisive lines being those with the greatest convergence and the weakest those with the least. The several state agencies that supervise the creation of public policies for the growth of the tourism industry exhibits convergences, as well as convergences between the academic actors and the entities in charge of overseeing the sustainability of the paramo. Divergences were noted among mining associations, landowners, and conservationist entities due to conceptual discordance in their visions for the future use of the territory.
5. Tourism Service Providers
The advancement of sustainable tourism is significantly augmented through the active participation of tourism service providers (Marin-Pantelescu et al., 2019). This study conducted a comprehensive survey of tourism service providers in the municipalities of California, Vetas, Suratá, Toná, and Matanza within the influence zone of the Santurbán Paramo in Santander, Colombia. The findings indicate:
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A limited number of tourism service providers are present in the region, predominantly comprising small-scale enterprises.
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Hotels exhibit low occupancy rates, primarily catering to individuals employed in the mining industry.
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Accommodation prices are modest, ranging between US$9 and US$26 per night.
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Absence of tailored plans for diverse visitor categories among tourism service providers.
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Less than 20% of personnel responsible for delivering tourism services have undergone formal customer service training.
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Guides leading tours lack proficiency in English.
These results underscore the imperative need to enhance the capabilities and education of tourism service providers in the paramo. The resultant improvement in the sustainability of tourism in the region will yield substantial benefits for the local community.
6. Inhabitants of the area
The inhabitants of Santurbán have a rich history in mining and agriculture, as most of the inhabitants of the towns of Vetas and California depend on mining for their livelihoods. (Duarte-Abadía et al., 2023). Additionally, the municipalities of Tona and Surata play crucial roles as producers of potatoes and Junca onions, with some residents engaging in cattle ranching. However, recent years have witnessed social conflicts in the region stemming from a Colombian Constitutional Court ruling that delineates land use in the paramo. This ruling restricts certain areas from mining and agriculture, prioritizing the conservation of water resources.
As revealed in the conducted interviews, it is evident that inhabitants persist in their traditional practices, leading to adverse consequences for sustainable land use management. These include:
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The discharge of mining byproducts such as cyanide and mercury into water sources, with detrimental effects on water consumers (Londoño et al., 2019; Mantey et al., 2020; Song et al., 2019).
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Unrestrained use of agrochemicals by farmers, prioritizing economic costs over potential ecosystemic consequences (Ruuskanen et al., 2022; Wang & Cernava, 2020).
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Damaging impact of extensive cattle ranching on vegetation cover.
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Limited environmental awareness among the region's inhabitants, with recent associations primarily focused on preserving traditional lifestyles and showing minimal interest in environmental protection if it entails economic losses.
There is an urgent need to offer enhanced training and education on sustainable land use practices to the region's inhabitants. Additionally, efforts should be directed towards promoting alternative economic activities that are environmentally friendly.
7. Governmental entities
In the domain of the judicial branch, the national government's involvement in the area is rooted in Constitutional Court Sentence C-035, which delineated the paramo zone but predominantly impacted artisanal miners. Notably, large mining companies retained their exploitation titles in the unprotected area, intensifying general discontent among the population. This has led to an ongoing, protracted struggle since 2014, marked by a lack of a definitive agreement on this delimitation.
Turning to the national legislative branch, a response to this persistent social struggle resulted in the enactment of Law 1930 on July 27, 2018. This law aims to establish comprehensive guidelines for the management of moorlands in Colombia. Its articles lay the groundwork for the protection of moorlands, recognizing them as vital sites for water resource generation. The legislation also introduced the role of moorland manager for the area's inhabitants, entrusting the regulation of this position to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. Specifically addressing tourism, Article 27 acknowledges ecotourism as a social and financial strategy for conservation, subject to proper regulation by competent authorities in moorland ecosystems. The recognition of ecotourism activities in these areas is contingent upon special regulation by environmental authorities due to the additional anthropic pressure they may face. While this provision opens avenues for sustainable tourism growth in the Santurbán moor, its specific management by environmental authorities remains to be specified (Parra-Romero, 2022).
Conspicuously, the executive branch of government has been notably absent in implementing infrastructure and basic sanitation measures. This is evident in the inadequate condition of access roads, deficient wastewater management systems, and a lack of digital connectivity in much of the rural sector. To foster the development of the area's tourism potential, government policies must be harmonized. Such coordination will pave the way for optimal growth scenarios and sustainability, aligning with broader objectives (Kubickova & Campbell, 2020; Liu et al., 2020).
8. Analysis of possible scenarios
The prospective analysis serves as a tool to comprehend impact variables and stakeholders in forthcoming scenarios, enabling a reasonable anticipation of potential challenges in policy implementation.
One widely employed methodology in prospective scenario analysis is the Peter Schwartz axis methodology (Schwartz, 2012b). This approach integrates results derived from structural analysis, stakeholder analysis, and expert opinions. The Schwartz axis delineates four quadrants on a Cartesian plane, as depicted in Fig. 7. The first quadrant represents the best expectations, characterized by positive trends, while the third quadrant signifies the worst-case scenario, depicting a system collapse (Camarena et al., 2022).
Scenario 1, envisions the continuity of tourism without sustainability indicators.
In this scenario, tourism in the Santurbán area persists with current tourist levels visiting from the metropolitan area of Bucaramanga. However, this scenario lacks technological advancements, relies on traditional methods, and neglects ecological protection.
Causes
The absence of synergy between the state, service providers, and technological drivers hinders progress. Insufficient infrastructure for smart tourism development and inadequate management of tourist impacts on the environment by environmental authorities are key factors.
Consequences
Tourism becomes a source of income for only a minority of the sector's inhabitants. Unregulated tourism negatively impacts the paramo's resources, potentially leading to the permanent closure of this economic activity in the protected area.
Challenge
The crucial challenge is to devise a policy directed at establishing an Industry 4.0 infrastructure for the implementation of smart tourism in the paramo area. This necessitates fostering collaboration among stakeholders, enhancing technological integration, and implementing sustainable tourism practices to ensure the enduring viability of tourism in the region.
Scenario 2, tourism grows sustainably and smartly.
In this optimistic scenario, the envisioned technological advancements materialize, and regulations are instituted in harmony with the demands of the protected environment. A framework emphasizing environmental protection is forged through scientific knowledge and technology. Access for international tourists is enhanced, fostering economic growth that translates into improved income for the local community and tourism service providers.
Causes The impetus for this positive scenario lies in the proactive efforts of national and local governments, which implement incentives for tourism development. This involves creating necessary infrastructure and regulations that foster a symbiotic relationship between tourism and sustainability. Both tourism service providers and tourists actively leverage technology to deliver a unique experience while preserving the environment.
Consequences
Tourism experiences sustainable growth, contributing to the economic well-being of the people in the Santurbán area.
Challenge
The primary challenge in this scenario is to consolidate a comprehensive public policy that engages all stakeholders. Utilizing Industry 4.0 technology, this policy should be geared towards establishing smart tourism practices. This involves integrating technological solutions across the tourism value chain, from planning and booking to on-site experiences, to ensure sustainable growth and responsible tourism in the Santurbán area.
Scenario 3, Conditions are created but not implemented in practice.
In this scenario, despite the formulation of public policies and the development of necessary infrastructure, the practical implementation falls short due to a lack of ecological awareness among service providers and visiting tourists.
Causes
The absence of training and controls hinders the sustainable utilization of resources by tourism service providers and tourists. The gap in knowledge and awareness prevents the effective adoption of ecologically responsible practices.
Consequences
The region experiences repeated visits by massive groups of tourists who, lacking awareness and technological tools designed for environmental protection, exert adverse impacts on the paramo's sustainability. Over time, the necessity arises to restrict entry and suspend tourism activities to mitigate the negative consequences.
Challenge
The central challenge in this scenario is to instill a robust culture of sustainability among tourism service providers. This entails implementing comprehensive training programs, regulatory frameworks, and awareness campaigns to foster responsible practices among all stakeholders. Building a shared commitment to ecological preservation is crucial to ensuring the long-term viability of tourism in the Santurbán area.
Scenario 4, Public policy on tourism differs from the needs of tourism in the sector.
In this scenario, public tourism policy lacks congruence with the demands of the tourism sector in the region. Environmental policies, both at the national and local level, run counter to the implementation of tourism and impede its potential for growth.
Causes
Norms and regulations issued for the paramo sector prohibit its utilization as a visitor-accessible area, prioritizing only environmental interests. This misalignment between policy and the practical needs of the tourism sector creates barriers to its development.
Consequences
Tourism faces substantial hindrances as policies restrict access to the paramo sector, hindering both community and environmental interests. The sector experiences stagnation, unable to grow while balancing the well-being of the community and environmental conservation.
Challenge
The main challenge in this scenario is to foster a conducive environment for the growth of tourism in protected areas within the frameworks of both national and local policies. This involves advocating for policies that strike a balance between environmental conservation and the socio-economic benefits that sustainable tourism can bring to the region. Aligning policies with the nuanced needs of the tourism sector is essential for fostering a thriving and sustainable tourism industry in the Santurbán area.