Geothermal resource use for heritage conservation in a sustainable tourism development proposal. Case in Argentina

Abstract

Environmental and cultural heritage conservation is considered one of the main topics in sustainable development of societies. San Juan territory, in Argentina has mountain valleys with villages they need a conscious management of its heritage, avoiding marginalization of its autochthonous people under the influence of local processes, due to tourism and mining activities without planning. The aim of this work is to design a tourism strategy to lead the development of the territory, considering the use of renewable geothermal energy resource as a measure of preserving the natural ecosystem. To attain this purpose, a field study allows getting a diagnosis on basins and natural geothermal springs, highlighting variables as mineralization, flow and temperature. Among the results, the heritage value is determined as a cultural landscape unit (Unidad de Paisaje Cultural, UPC), within which, the area of Las Flores (UPC7), is identified with the best mineral mud quality for health applications and strategic location for the development of a thermal village. The promotion of tourism with its own identity and social co-participation of local people, leads to rational use of heritage resources, minimizes environmental degradation, ensure a continuity of culture in time and is a thrust for sustainable development.