Forest ecotourism He is taking a fundamental role in the diversification of the economy of many regions of Europe, and Spain is no exception. This type of tourism, in addition to offering travelers the opportunity to connect with nature, has become a sustainable income For many rural municipalities.
Forest tourism It is based on tourist activities developed in forests and natural spaces, such as hiking, ecotourism, fauna observation, adventure activities or the interpretation of the landscape. This tourism modality only promotes the enjoyment of nature, It also encourages a responsible relationship with natural resources, integrating sustainability as the main axis.
Instead of focusing solely on the passive enjoyment of the landscape, forest tourism allows visitors to live enriching experiences that help them connect with the environment deeply. From guided routes to environmental education, forest tourism has a wide range of possibilities.
The problem is presented When the ecotourists do not know the situation in which the mountains or forests are found that visit and/or ignore the indications that alert about the dangers of the fires forestry. The lack of forecast, omission, danger and heat are a very bad combination that can have serious consequences
Stressed forests, heat and truthful
The summer of 2025 has begun with a strong Thermal anomaly At the end of May in the Iberian Peninsula. The high temperatures show climate change, but also trigger the desire for vacation and feed the imaginary of natural landscapes outside the city.
Las Mountains and forests begin to be filled with hikers and tourists that seek disconnection, contact with nature and cooler temperatures. But the conditions of the natural environment have changed.
Although the rains of this spring have relieved the water and vegetation stress, the forests are stressed by the alteration involved in climate changeinsufficient management and the irruption of disorderly public use that multiplies degradation risks, and in particular the threat of fires forestry.
The population that reaches natural spaces seeking relaxation and practice of outdoor activities It usually ignores the state of ecosystems. They seek the disconnection of the city, but before they disconnected from the forests.
Climate change has come from the hand of a cultural change based on production, accumulation and consumption in cities. In this situation, the recreational and tourist use of the mountains It is also proposed in the key to consumption of resources that are considered free and free, without knowing or recognizing the real value of these ecosystem services.
Ecotourism, nature and fire
In theory, ecotourism is a low impact activity that contributes to set and regenerate natural and human capital, while promoting sensitivity and environmental education. However, although nature tourism should effectively favor the improvement and conservation of natural heritage, it often becomes an added factor of risks of all kinds.
The loss of culture of the territory and the ignorance of the current state of ecosystems are at the origin of reckless behaviors of visitors who unconsciously increase the danger of fires forestry.
We could cite many examples, such as the custom of smoking and throwing butts on the mountain, or throwing cans and other materials in its path, and even to make fire for recreational purposes despite its prohibition. Ecotourists seek and come – almost expensive carelessly – well -being and enjoyment scenarios where there are really territorial scenarios of fire, and sometimes with propagation patterns that can generate serious emergency situations.
Impact on the tourism sector
Also the fires forestry are a threat to the tourism sector, since they cause the destruction of natural heritage, accommodations, goods and services. In Spain there are numerous cases of economic and material losses in Rural Tourism and Nature Tourism destinations affected by fire.
One of the best known is that of Pedro Bernardo and Arenas de San Pedro in the Tiétar Valley, where the Large forest fires of 1986, 2000, 2006, 2009 and 2022 have dismantled the local economy based on rural tourism.
The greats fires of the last decade linked to climate change and the change of the landscape have even reached dismantle international ecotourism destinations.
In the National Parks of California we find very prominent examples in 2022 and 2023, such as the one caused by the Great Fire of the Mojave National Reserve (California) in August 2023, with the Destruction of ancestral treesthe impact of Fire Redwood the next month, and the threat to Yosemite National Park in July 2022.
Los fires forestry that razed the Isla de Maui enlag In August 2023 causing deaths and destruction, they also showed the consequences of the imbalances caused by the degradation of ecosystems and climate change in this international tourist destination.
Camino de Santiago and fires?
It is very Timely this question asked the social network of the Santiago Camino “Live the Camino” to give prudent behavior that allow mitigating the risk of fires forestry and reduce the vulnerability of pilgrims in case of being surprised by fire.
In the same direction, the podcast “takes note” of the Red Cross last summer about “How to avoid a forest fire”And, just as historical gardens in Madrid close to the risk of strong winds, some sections of the Camino de Santiago were closed in June 2022 before the extreme risk of large fires forestry. Because ecotourists – and in this case pilgrims – who travel through forests and fields in summer, are not only danger agents, but also vulnerable subjects against the declaration of the fire.
Nature tourists are usually people with training and interests oriented to knowledge and defense of natural spaces. However, they do not usually have an adequate culture of risk or an awareness of the Forest fire danger adapted to the current fire regime.
The consequences of climate change and the modification of the structure and dynamics of ecosystems generate new, often unpredictable situations, which force them to be prepared to manage uncertainty. For this it is necessary to develop educational campaigns aimed at informing and raising awareness about the factors that influence the behavior of fire, to favor attitudes and preventive measures, and to facilitate protection and evacuation actions in case of emergency.
Prepare fires Forestry is crucial when undertaking a tourist trip in natural spaces. Like the owners of housing and businesses, residents and workers in rural areas, Ecotourists should know what to do and how to reduce ignitions through preventionto stay safe in case of fire, and to facilitate the actions of the devices in emergency situations.