Proposal of a Fuzzy Math- Based Procedure to Obtain a Quantitative Indicator that Valuates Tourism Impacts on Local Residents. A Case Study

Abstract

This article proposes a new mathematical model: a fuzzy math-based approach to widely valuate sets of tourist impacts that affect local residents. It allows to analyze them with bigger adaptability and less distorsion of the data extracted from local inhabitants. This model is based on a group of indicators that determines measures for the limits of these inhabitants’ psychological load capacity, comparing the levels of maximum tolerance with ideal levels according to the present-day levels the way they are being perceived. All of these indicators are synthesized in a single index: "the level of disposition", to make the interpretation, comparison in time and among several communities much easier, determining how far the inhabitants are willing to accept or reject tourist activity and which strategies must be proposed in order to increase the level of disposition, by means of an approach to the ideal limits of this indicator.