Grado de influencia ejercido por las designaciones UNESCO sobre la demanda de turismo: caso del Parque Geo-Minero Histórico y Ambiental de Cerdeña

This PhD thesis in co-tutorship between the University of Seville and the University of Sassari examines the Parco Geominerario Storico e Ambientale della Sardegna (Historical and Environmental Geomining Park of Sardinia) with the aim of understanding the role and degree of influence exercised by the UNESCO recognition on the territories that are part of it, referring mainly to the effects that this designation has on tourism. In addition to the more immediate effects, linked to the fundamental principles of UNESCO, that is protection and conservation of the natural and cultural heritage, it investigates the economic aspects that are important for the people in the territories affected by the interruption of mining activities. A case study research with a qualitative approach is used; an empirical investigation was chosen to analyse the Park within its real context. A desk and a field analysis were carried out as part of a comparative analysis. The investigation is about ex mining sites transformed into tourist-cultural resources open to the public and which can be considered products/goods, tourism is, in fact, an economic activity that generates profit (OMT 1998: 16). The research also involves registering methods and annual entrances to these sites, management and funding methods, human resources employed, promotion and communication. The thesis is structured in five chapters and is written in Spanish, incorporated by two parts in Italian: a summary of the first four chapters and the conclusions. In the final chapter, it is reported the Park’s exit from UNESCO’s Global Geoparks network, starting from the 1st of January 2020 and the reasons of this pronouncement.