EL TURISMO URBANO COMO ESTRATEGIA DE DESARROLLO SOSTENIBLE. EL CASO DE LA CIUDAD DE MACHALA.

Abstract

This research seeks to understand the current state of tourism in the city of Machala, starting a necessary conceptual basis, to interpret if reality is investigated according to the theory. Thus, the study of primary and secondary sources are the fundamental part of the research, the methodology as part of an analytical axis - descriptive. The main findings and conclusions are mainly identifying Machala as a tourist town, but not at the same level as other cities nationwide; equally it mentioned that urban regeneration is not sufficient to position the city into a tourist center and the need to expand the activities to other specific initiatives; therefore it is important that public entities involved in the activity, implement new projects and new efforts in line with international guidelines, aimed at seeking an identity as a tourist destination.