Landscape impacts of 'neo-resorts' and large villa hotels on the coast. The case of Santa María Cay (Villa Clara, Cuba)

www.cayosantamaria.info

Burgui Burgui, M. 

Abstract

The article shows the close dependency between tourism and the landscape in which it develops, and the need to move towards sustainable tourism. With the decline of mass tourism that focused on the supply of 'sun and sand', there are many different alternatives, but also the continuation of this mass tourism with the so-called 'neo-resorts' or 'large villa hotels'. Tourism development in Santa María Cay is a clear example of the latter. The article presents the main impacts on the landscape that this model of tourism has caused. Finally, proposals were made to minimize these impacts and some final considerations to move towards a diversified tourism that respects the environment.

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