NATURE-BASED SPORTS AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: PERSPECTIVES OF DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE

The practice of nature-based sports is a growing phenomenon. In turn, the concept of sustainability, explored in tourism research, deserves greater attention regarding the role of nature-based sports as a way of increasing environmental awareness in education and the economy. This essay, whose methodology is based on a literature review, was developed in order to better clarify this contribution and, given a critical reflection on the concept of sustainability, to present an approach that contributes to its effectiveness. The analysis allowed us to understand the economic impact of these activities as well as the need for more investment in sports-based educational projects. It proposes a governance process that starts from civil society's needs and then looks into those of other stakeholders. The process should condition decisions taken at higher levels of the governance chain.