THE VISITOR PROFILE AND ITS IMPLICATIONS FOR TOURISM MANAGEMENT IN EMERGING DESTINATIONS.
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Abstract
The objective of this research is to analyze the profile of visitors to Loja, Ecuador, and its implications for tourism management, with special attention to the low season. This season is characterized by a decrease in demand for tourism services, offering both challenges and opportunities for emerging destinations. The benefits include better use of local resources and a more personalized experience for tourists, contributing to more sustainable tourism development. Using a methodology that combines literature review and analysis of data collected in Loja, we investigate how the application of the Lean technique can optimize the tourism value chain.
This technique, adapted to the tourism sector, increases visitor satisfaction. The results highlight the importance of targeted marketing strategies and the promotion of the low-demand period to balance visitor flow and improve the sustainability of the destination. In addition, the main motivations and behavior patterns of tourists are identified, providing practical recommendations to strengthen tourism management. The conclusions determine the need to integrate sustainable tourism and marketing policies to attract visitors during the low season, thus improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the destination.
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