Agritourism heritage as a response to the abandonment of rural areas: The case of Buenavista Del Norte (Tenerife)

Abstract

This research examines the ongoing challenge of depopulation in rural areas, focusing on the municipality of Buenavista del Norte in the Canary Islands. Depopulation signif-icantly impacts the social and economic viability of small rural municipalities, exacer-bating marginalization and isolation. The study highlights the role of governance and local community participation in reversing this trend. The research identifies key pro-jects and resources that could foster local development using qualitative methods, such as interviews with public representatives, key strategic sector informants, and partici-patory group dynamics. A core focus is placed on the integration of tourism, particularly wine tourism, as a tool for economic diversification and combating rural decline. De-spite the Canary Islands’ status as a mature tourist destination, rural areas have not equally benefited, with some experiencing stagnation. The study explores opportunities for public-private collaboration and community-based innovation to address territorial imbalances. The participatory approach involves key actors from various sectors, facil-itating a collaborative process to identify viable projects. This research underscores the need for integrated local development strategies, enhanced infrastructure, and quality public services to confront the demographic challenges faced by remote areas. By em-phasizing tourism and sustainable community-based approaches, the study presents a roadmap for revitalizing rural municipalities through inclusive governance and strate-gic planning.