ACCESIBLE TOURISM IN PROTECTED AREAS OF MENDOZA, ARGENTINA

Abstract

The aim of this research is to diagnose the accessibility degree of natural protected areas (NPA) located in Mendoza Province (Argentina) for tourist and recreational activities. In a systemic perspective of tourism, visitors are people with displacement problems –in the framework of accessible tourism– and destinations are NPAs of Mendoza –in the context of outdoor tourism–. Considering numerous criteria, NPAs taken as object of study (Aconcagua, Divisadero Largo and Bosques Telteca) were selected. Each NPA have one authorised trail divided into many sections. Then, natural barriers of each section were registered, detailing frequency and intensity. Together, stones, slopes, snow, sand, and exposure to the sun were the most widespread and serious natural barriers. Finally, solutions in the form of facilities were proposed to these barriers.