The role of small tourism businesses in sustainable tourism: The case of the "Paradores" of Puerto Rico

Abstract

The purpose of this was twofold. First, to examine the role of the "Paradores" in sustainable tourism as well as in Puerto Rico's economy; Second, to determine the owner's knowledge on sustainable tourism. Twenty-five paradores owners from Puerto Rico were sampled. The country inns were used as small and medium tourism businesses in the research. A survey research design was used with the development and implementation of a questionnaire (Vega and Romaguera, 1995). The questionnaire was mailed to the owners of the Paradores; 13 questionnaires were returned (a 52% response rate). Data analysis revealed the following results: First, the paradores play an important role in sustainable tourism in Puerto Rico, because these businesses contribute to the economic and social development of the surrounding communities, and at the same time show respect for the environmental resources and promoting the culture and idiosyncrasy of the place where they me located. Second, the paradores owners are not familiar with the definition of the term; however, they help directly in different ways to the development of this modality of tourism.