Complementarity between natural and cultural heritage to promote tourist activity: a case study in the Cornalvo Natural Park, Extremadura

The growing interest in nature and its conservation has led to a significant increase in tourist visits to Natural Protected Areas. However, the lack of coherent and effective planning entails substantial risks. Therefore, to take advantage of the benefits of nature tourism in these areas, a management of the activity based on sustainability criteria is required. Based on this premise, a case study is presented with the aim of assessing the main attractions of the Cornalvo Natural Park to determine its suitability to promote a variety of ecotourism experiences associated with its distinctive ecosystem of dehesas. For this purpose, the perceptions of the personnel in charge of the management of the protected area were analyzed using the Delphi method. In addition, a SWOT analysis was carried out to provide information that could serve as a basis for making decisions aimed at revaluing this area. Among the results, establishing tourist circuits with the monumental city of M & eacute;rida, promoting proximity tourism, was relevant. Likewise, increasing the dialogue with landowners within this space, with whom agreements could be established to implement various initiatives in the park is considered highly important.