Revista RIAF ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol – 3 No. 2, enero-junio 2025

Articles

Potential for adventure sports tourism in biodiversity zones in Ecuador

RIAF. International Journal of Physical Activity

University of Guayaquil, Ecuador

Frequency: Semiannual Vol. 3, no. 2, 2025

revista.riaf@ug.edu.ec

Received: March 2, 2025

Approved: November 19, 2025

URL: https://revistas.ug.edu.ec/index.php/riaf DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53591/riaf.v3i2.2205

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Abstract:

Adventure sports tourism in Ecuador's highly

biodiverse areas has become a key option for promoting

sustainable economic, social, and environmental

development. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of

activities such as hiking, rafting, mountain biking, and

birdwatching in the country's megadiverse regions, including

the Amazon, the Andes, the coast, and the Galapagos Islands.

A mixed-method approach was used, combining document

analysis with surveys of 250 tourists, both domestic and

international, in addition to conducting semi-structured

interviews with 30 local stakeholders involved in the tourism

and environmental sectors. The results highlighted strengths

such as natural wealth, ecosystem diversity, and continuous

improvement in road infrastructure, along with challenges

such as limited international promotion and a lack of training

in host communities. It was also found that adventure tourism

has generated sustainable income, fostered ecosystem

conservation, and contributed to local well-being in places

such as Napo, Chimborazo, and Quito. In conclusion,

Ecuador has great potential to become a leading destination

for adventure sports tourism, provided comprehensive

strategies are implemented to strengthen promotion,

optimize the training of local stakeholders, and minimize

environmental impacts, aligning with the principles of

national sustainable development.

Keywords

: Adventure tourism, biodiversity, sustainability,

ecotourism, local communities, conservation

This work is under a

Creative Commons Attribution-

NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Luis Terán Viteri

; Bolívar Espinoza Santos

, Lenin Álvarez Caicedo

& Carlos Bazurto Hidalgo

Luis Terán Viteri

Universidad de Guayaquil-Guayaquil-Ecuador.

luis.teranv@ug.edu.ec

ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2596-6165

Bolívar Espinoza Santos

Universidad de Guayaquil-Guayaquil-Ecuador.

boliva.espinozas@ug.edu.ec

ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-8638-5151

Lenin Álvarez Caicedo

Universidad de Guayaquil-Guayaquil-Ecuador.

lenin.alvarezc@ug,edu.ec

ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0009-4304-9000

Carlos Bazurto Hidalgo

Universidad de Guayaquil-Guayaquil-Ecuador.

carlos.bazurtoh@ug.edu.ec

ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-0776-0645

Revista RIAF ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol – 3 No. 2, enero-junio 2025

Introduction

Ecuador, recognized as one of the 17

megadiverse countries in the world, harbors

unique natural wealth distributed across four

geographical regions: the Amazon, the Andes,

the Coast, and the Galapagos Islands. This

biodiversity, combined with a growing global

demand for authentic and sustainable tourism

experiences, positions the country as an ideal

destination for adventure sports tourism. The

ecosystems of this country include tropical

jungles, Andean páramos, coastal forests, and

island archipelagos, granting it unique

advantages for developing tourism related to

sports, nature, and adventure (Vega Falcón et

al., 2019; Toledo Villacís et al., 2021).

This rich diversity, along with the growing

global demand for authentic and sustainable

tourism experiences, places the country in an

excellent position as a destination for adventure

and sports tourism, as shown in Figure 1, the

biodiversity zones by province are distributed

throughout the continental area (Mangrove

Alliance, 2016).

Adventure tourism, defined as the combination

of physical activities in natural environments

with a touch of exploration, a bit of controlled

risk, and deep contact with nature, has seen

notable growth in recent decades. This boom

has been driven by a new type of traveler who

seeks not only personal well-being but also a

deeper connection with the environment (Carvache-

Franco et al., 2022; Sarmiento et al., 2024). In Ecuador,

this type of tourism is integrated into a development

agenda that seeks to balance economic, social, and

environmental objectives, while creating opportunities

for local communities and fostering the conservation of

vulnerable ecosystems (Mestanza-Ramón & Jiménez-

Caballero, 2021), because with its diversity of landscapes

it offers opportunities to practice rafting in the

Amazonian rivers, mountain biking in the Andean

páramos, kayaking in the lakes of the Sierra, or

birdwatching in the tropical forests, highlighting the

versatility of the territory for this type of activity.

According to the World Tourism Organization

(UNWTO, 2023), this segment has shown constant

growth in Latin America, boosting local economies and

generating employment both directly and indirectly.

However, the consolidation of this sector faces several

structural challenges. Research in Ecuador has revealed

problems such as the lack of adequate infrastructure for

adventure sports, limited international promotion,

scarcity of local technical training, and a nature tourism

governance that is quite dispersed (Castro Salcedo &

Calle Lituma, 2023; Aldáz Hernández et al., 2024).

Despite everything, the Ministry of Tourism points out

that the country has approved 21 ways to practice risk

sports (Primicias, 2023). Furthermore, the presence of

protected areas, covering almost one-fifth of the country,

and the effort of communities to promote active and

ecological tourism, open the possibility of merging

tourism, sport, and environmental care (Plua-Parrales,

n.d.; Martínez, 2023).

Faced with this panorama, it is important to conduct a

comprehensive study that carefully examines the unique

characteristics of adventure and sports tourism in places

with rich biodiversity, like Ecuador. This means we must

analyze the opportunities, challenges, and most effective

strategies to promote responsible growth that takes into

account both environmental and social development.

Therefore, this study will focus on evaluating the

potential of adventure and sports tourism in Ecuador's

biodiversity areas, highlighting opportunities, barriers,

and key strategies for its sustainable development.

By applying this strategy, in addition to boosting

financial growth, it also promotes national culture and

the participation of community inhabitants, as seen in the

Revista RIAF ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol – 3 No. 2, enero-junio 2025

group in Trigoloma (Chimborazo), who aspire

to develop offerings based on tourism offerings

in the sports and recreational sphere (Martínez,

2023).

Materials and Methods

The study adopted a mixed approach, combining

both quantitative and qualitative methods, to

comprehensively assess the potential of

adventure sports tourism in Ecuador's

biodiversity areas. This strategy allowed

capturing both the perceptions of tourists about

sports activities and the experiences and

strategies of local actors involved in the

management of this type of tourism (Gibson,

2018; Weed, 2020). The methodological

components are detailed below:

Bibliographic Review:

Scientific articles, government reports, tourism

development plans, and academic publications

published between 2018 and 2025 were

compiled and analyzed, focusing on sports

tourism, recreational sports, sustainability, and

community development.

Sources were obtained from databases such as

Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and

national repositories such as those of the

Ministry of Tourism of Ecuador and the

Ministry of Sport.

Studies related to adventure tourism,

biodiversity, sustainability, and community

development were prioritized, with a focus on

the Ecuadorian context.

Content analysis was used to identify trends,

challenges, and opportunities, organizing the

information into thematic categories.

Tourist Surveys:

A structured questionnaire with 20 questions

was designed, divided into three sections:

demographic data, tourist preferences and

motivations related to sports and adventure

activities, and perceptions about sustainability,

safety, and sports experience.

250 face-to-face and online surveys were

administered to national (60%) and international

(40%) tourists in three key destinations: Tena (Amazon),

Baños de Agua Santa (Andes), and Mindo (Chocó

Andino).

The destinations were selected for their relevance in

adventure sports tourism and their location in high

biodiversity areas.

The surveys were conducted between June and

September 2024, with non-probabilistic convenience

sampling.

The reliability of the instrument was verified with a

Cronbach's alpha of 0.85.

Assuming an equal distribution of the 250 surveys among

the three destinations (250/3 approx. 83 surveys per

destination), it is calculated: nationals 83 x 0.6 = 50

(approx.) and international: 83 x 0.4 = 33 (approx.),

which can be represented in the following Figure 2:

Figure 1

Distribution of national and international tourists by

destination

Semi-structured Interviews:

20 interviews were conducted with key actors, including

tourism operators (8), local guides (7), and

representatives of indigenous communities (5) in the

studied regions.

The interviews explored topics such as socioeconomic

impact, operational challenges, community participation,

and conservation strategies.

Each interview lasted an average of 45 minutes and was

conducted in Spanish, with translation into Kichwa in

two cases to ensure inclusion.

The interviews were recorded with prior consent and

transcribed for analysis.

This yielded the following result represented in a bar

chart:

Revista RIAF ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol – 3 No. 2, enero-junio 2025

Figure 2

Number of interviews

Data Analysis:

Quantitative data from the surveys were

processed with SPSS v.26 software, generating

descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages)

and bivariate analyses to identify correlations

between variables such as age, nationality, and

tourist preferences.

Qualitative data from the interviews were

analyzed with ATLAS.ti v.9 software, using

thematic coding to identify patterns and

emerging categories.

The results of both approaches were triangulated

to ensure the robustness of the conclusions.

Study Areas:

Three high biodiversity regions were selected:

the Sumaco Biosphere Reserve (Amazon), Cajas

National Park (Andes), and the Chocó Andino

Biosphere Reserve.

These areas were chosen for their ecological

richness, their potential for adventure activities,

and their relevance in national sustainable

tourism policies.

The methodological design allowed for a

holistic assessment, integrating perspectives

from multiple actors and updated data, with a

focus on sustainability and community

participation.

Results

The findings are organized into three categories:

strengths, challenges, and opportunities, based

on the triangulation of quantitative and

qualitative data.

Strengths

• Wealth of biodiversity and sports

variety: Ecuador concentrates a high

level of biodiversity and diverse

ecosystems that allow the practice of multiple

adventure sports, approximately 60-70% of

global biodiversity in a territory of 283,561 km²,

with ecosystems ranging from tropical jungles to

Andean páramos. This allows for a wide range of

activities, from rafting on the Napo River to

birdwatching in Mindo, where more than 400

species of birds have been recorded.

• Improved infrastructure: Investment in road

infrastructure, such as the Puyo-Tena highway

(Amazon) and the Cuenca-Molleturo road

(Andes), has increased access to tourist

destinations by 50% since 2015, according to

data from the Ministry of Transport (2022),

which highlights that this facilitates the carrying

out of sports activities that need safe and

efficient transportation for both tourists and

equipment.

• Demand for sports tourism: According to the

surveys applied, 72% of respondents expressed

significant interest in land activities (trekking,

mountain biking), while 58% showed a

preference for water activities (rafting,

kayaking). Birdwatching stood out as an

emerging activity, with 48% interest, especially

among European tourists.

• Community participation in sports

activities: Initiatives such as the Emprende

Turismo program have trained more than 500

local entrepreneurs since 2020, allowing the

creation of tourism micro-enterprises in

communities such as Sarayaku (Amazon) and

San Juan (Andes), contributing to the local

economy and strengthening the management of

adventure sports (Martínez, 2023).

• Legal framework and conservation

policies: The National System of Protected

Areas covers 20% of the Ecuadorian territory,

providing a legal framework for the development

of sustainable tourism activities.

Challenges

• Limited promotion of sports tourism: Only

25% of international tourists knew of adventure

destinations outside the Galapagos Islands before

their visit, according to the surveys. The lack of

international campaigns reduces competitiveness

compared to destinations like Costa Rica or Peru.

Revista RIAF ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol – 3 No. 2, enero-junio 2025

• Insufficient training of sports

guides: 65% of local guides lack

certifications in sustainability, first aid,

or group management, which affects

service quality and safety.

• Environmental impacts associated

with adventure sports: Activities such

as rafting on the Quijos River and

cycling in Cajas National Park can

generate erosion and habitat disturbance

if not regulated. For example, an

operator in Tena reported a 30%

increase in plastic waste on tourist

routes between 2022 and 2024.

• Unequal community

participation: Although indigenous

communities are involved in tourism,

only 15% of projects are managed

directly by them, limiting economic

benefits and autonomy.

• Lack of specific infrastructure: Some

areas, such as the Sumaco Reserve, lack

adequate signage, well-maintained

trails, or interpretation centers, which

hinders the tourist experience.

Opportunities

• Sustainability and sports safety

certification: Adopting international

standards, such as those of the Global

Sustainable Tourism Council, could

attract the 70% of respondents who

prioritize sustainable destinations.

• Digital promotion of adventure

sports: 80% of the tourists surveyed use

social media (Instagram, TikTok) to

discover destinations. Digital marketing

strategies could increase the visibility of

lesser-known destinations, such as the

Chocó Andino.

• Diversification of sports

activities: Incorporating new low-

impact activities, such as canopy,

paragliding, or outdoor yoga, could

attract new market segments, especially

millennials and Generation Z.

• Community strengthening: Training programs

in tourism management and international

certifications for local communities could

increase their participation in the value chain, as

seen in successful projects in Costa Rica.

• Investment in sustainable sports

infrastructure: The creation of eco-lodges,

certified trails, and interpretation centers in

protected areas could improve the tourist

experience without compromising ecosystems.

• Sports activities and destinations:

o Napo: Class IV-V rafting on Jondachi

and Hollín, with operators offering

packages from $65 (Polo del

Conocimiento, n.d.).

o Chimborazo: Trekking on El Altar,

combined with camping and kayaking in

volcanic lagoons (Primicias, 2023).

o Quito: Trails like Yanacocha and

Pasochoa, ideal for trekking and bird

watching (Quito Informa, 2022).

Economic and social impact of adventure sports:

• In Trigoloma (Chimborazo), sports tourism is

linked to the National Development Plan to

generate employment and food sovereignty

(Martínez, 2023).

• In Napo, the integration of Kichwa communities

into tourist centers promotes local gastronomy

and crafts.

Challenges:

• Limited promotion: Lack of tourist information

in areas like Trigoloma (Martínez, 2023).

• Training: Need for training in specialized guides

and safety.

Discussion

The study reveals that promoting adventure and sports

tourism in high biodiversity areas represents a valuable

opportunity to foster sustainable development in

Ecuador. This aligns with the global trend that desires

active, authentic, and environmentally respectful tourism

experiences. This notion coincides with what was stated

by Weed (2020), who states that sports tourism could be

a catalyst for the economy and society in nations with

Revista RIAF ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol – 3 No. 2, enero-junio 2025

natural wealth, provided it is managed

sustainably and with the collaboration of the

local population.

Ecuador, with its varied geography that enables

adventure sports such as rafting, paragliding, or

mountain biking in diverse natural

environments, has greater advantages than Peru

or Colombia, countries where these practices are

limited to certain areas (Carvache-Franco et al.,

2022). However, according to Lozano and

Rodríguez (2021), to make the most of these

places, it is essential to have good facilities,

specialized instruction, and care for the

environment. In Ecuador, the lack of advertising

abroad and professional preparation hinder the

country's worldwide recognition, something that

coincides with Castillo and Gómez (2023), who

point out that Ecuador still needs to develop a

strong tourism image based on sport.

Community participation is presented as a key

factor for the success and sustainability of

adventure tourism. Research conducted in

Ecuador, such as that by López and Cedeño

(2023) on tourism projects in the Amazon,

shows that involving local communities in

sports management not only generates

sustainable economic benefits but also helps

curb rural migration. Similarly, Buitrago and his

team (2022) found that sports tourism in

Colombia has fostered the creation of green jobs

in rural areas, which in turn strengthens social

cohesion. In Ecuador, initiatives like the one in

the Chocó Andino demonstrate that effective

community management can improve

biodiversity conservation by replacing

extractive activities with more responsible

tourism (Ministry of the Environment, 2023).

However, despite these advantages, the

literature also points out the risks involved in

poor management of sports tourism, such as

increased waste and degradation of fragile

ecosystems. According to Gibson (2018) and

Zamora et al. (2021), the uncontrolled growth of

adventure tourism can increase the ecological

footprint, especially in protected areas where

regulation is scarce. Examples such as the 20%

increase in solid waste in the Galapagos Islands

between 2018 and 2023 underscore the urgency

of implementing environmental monitoring models and

controlling tourist carrying capacity (Ministry of the

Environment, 2023).

Compared to Costa Rica, which has managed to

consolidate its international image through the

certification of sustainable destinations and

environmental education, Ecuador has quite advanced

legislation—such as the Tourism Law (2002) and the

National Tourism Development Plan 2030—although its

application has been somewhat irregular, especially in

rural areas. If policies such as the zoning of protected

areas or the reinvestment of tourism income in

conservation were effectively implemented, this could

strengthen the country's competitiveness (Martínez,

2023). Furthermore, the incorporation of technology and

digital marketing is another key aspect to boost sports

tourism. Recent studies in Latin America (Gómez &

Villacrés, 2024) highlight that social networks and online

booking platforms have become strategic tools for

promoting emerging destinations and attracting young

tourists interested in outdoor activities. In Ecuador,

leveraging these tools could increase the visibility of

cycling and trekking routes in provinces such as Napo,

Chimborazo, and Pichincha.

This study has certain limitations to consider. Mainly, the

reduced number of participants, limited to three tourist

locations, and the non-random selection method,

complicate the application of the conclusions to the entire

country. On the other hand, the numerical data depend on

the personal opinion of the visitors, which could generate

some distortions. Despite this, these same weaknesses

open the door to new research that compares different

areas or Andean nations, including aspects such as the

effect on the economy, environmental care, and the

quality of life of the inhabitants.

In conclusion, adventure and sports tourism in Ecuador

provides a viable economic option, while serving as a

key tool for environmental preservation and community

progress. For it to thrive, logical regulations, constant

training, and worldwide marketing plans are required that

link the country's abundant nature with the boom in the

search for sports experiences that respect the

environment.

Conclusion

This research analyzed the options offered by adventure

and sports tourism in Ecuador's biodiverse spaces,

showing that this option represents a feasible path to

Revista RIAF ISSN: 2953-6693 Vol – 3 No. 2, enero-junio 2025

stimulate lasting economic, social, and

ecological progress. The data revealed that the

country's natural assets and territorial variety—

especially in places like Napo, Chimborazo, and

Pichincha—are fundamental elements for

promoting sports practices such as river descent,

hiking, mountain biking, and bird watching,

which not only strengthen the local economy but

also encourage the care of the natural

environment.

Likewise, obstacles were detected both in the

organization and in the way the sector is

structured, including scarce global diffusion, the

lack of specialized training for local

professionals, and a specific material base that

falls short. These problems diminish the

capacity of Ecuadorian adventure tourism to

compete with established places like Costa Rica

or Peru. Nevertheless, the collected data suggest

that, through lasting and collaborative

approaches, it is possible to create an adventure

tourism system that unites natural wealth with

the conscious development of risk sports.

Thus, it can be concluded that implementing

environmental certifications, strengthening

community training, promoting segmented

digitalization, and regulating environmental

impact are key elements to ensure the

sustainability of the sector. Furthermore, it is

essential to articulate public policies that

integrate conservation, recreation, and local

development, ensuring that the benefits of sports

tourism are distributed fairly among the

communities.

It is recommended, in conclusion, to continue

with extensive studies. These should evaluate

how this practice affects the economy and the

environment. This way, robust strategies will be

created that promote Ecuador as the best

destination for sports tourism.

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