Análisis de las ayudas del método Leader al turismo rural en Extremadura (1995-2015)

Résumé

The changes occurred during the last century modified the economic and demographic realities known so far in European rural areas, producing great imbalances between urban and rural areas. In order to reduce them, the European Union, as well as other institutions, have implemented numerous public policies, among which the Leader Initiative stands out. This initiative is the object of analysis of this study in one of the territories that has benefited the most, Extremadura, and in particular, in one of its main actions, the aid to rural tourism. This initiative was launched in 1991, Leader I, through an innovative and endogenous model of rural development that was committed to the integration of the local population in the decision-making processes ("bottom-up") and in the incorporation of new economic activities that would increase agricultural incomes. The excellent results obtained in this pilot phase, allowed the continuation of the model and the articulation at national level of the Proder Program, which financed in Spain, with the same model as in Spain. As a result, this Doctoral Thesis has focused on the investigation of the tourist offer (accommodation and catering services) co-financed from Leader II (1995-2000) and Proder I (1996-2000) to the last period completed, EAFRD (2007-2013), in Extremadura. In order to determine the degree of success of the businesses, and what realities of the territories are affecting their maintenance, establishing patterns of behavior.