Abstract

Using the theory of Sociological Worlds and Tourism Development Forms this paper presents empirical research of underlying logics of tourism development in a remote and nature-based tourism area. Sociological behaviors underlie development trends, people act according to values, representations, and justifications to achieve a purpose. The analysis of behaviors and discourses of tourism stakeholders reveals specific relationships and uses of natural assets of the territory in their projects. Actors implement infrastructure and promote the places in which they reside or visit according to sociological patterns. They share ideals, principles, goals, preferential relationships to both significant others and places that shape local development. By analyzing data from the Aysén region in Chilean Patagonia, we illustrate seven Tourism Development Forms, namely: governmental, commercial, technological-industrial, ecological, alternative, traditionalist and recreational. Particularities and variations exist within each one, according to the stakeholder’s specific relationship to nature, being either more productive, anthropocentric, or ecological. Identifying and describing these Tourism Development Forms in a territory informs of issues at stake which are useful to strengthen the management of emerging nature-based destinations.