The tourism activity as an economic foundation for the sustainable development of the Gavidia community in the Sierra Nevada National Park

Tourism can create a development platform that can become one of the first sources of employment and, as a consequence, of social harmony; besides its contribution to the knowledge and diffusion of cultural values. This article aims to diagnose the environmental and tourist impact on the Sierra Nevada National Park and, particularly, on the Gavidia Community during the period 1995-2005. Empirical results reveal the necessity of citizens’ involvement in order to find solutions to the environmental problems and that the sustainable development could be achieved by means of promoting a conservationist conscience.