MULTIFUNCTIONALITY AND RURAL TOURISM IN THE VINALOPÓ REGION, ALICANTE: STUDY OF FARMERS LOCATED ON THE WINE ROUTE IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF VILLENA, PINOSO, MONÓVAR AND NOVELDA

• Grant number: 25/00310-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Humanities - Geography - Human Geography
• Principal Investigator: Rosangela Aparecida de Medeiros Hespanhol
• Grantee: Tamires Regina Rocha Vinhaes
• Supervisor: Jose Antonio Segrelles Serrano
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Universidad de Alicante (UA), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/08349-4 - RURAL TOURISM AS A STRATEGY FOR SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC REPRODUCTION IN SMALL RURAL PROPERTIES IN THE MUNICIPALITIES OF JUNDIAÍ AND SÃO ROQUE - STATE OF SÃO PAULO, BP.DR

Abstract

Rural areas have become increasingly multifunctional, especially in regions of significant cultural and agricultural value, such as the Vinalopó region in the province of Alicante. In this context, farmers are not limited to food production, but perform multiple functions, diversifying their activities beyond agriculture. One of these activities is rural tourism, which is an important income diversification strategy for producers. In addition to generating a source of additional income, rural tourism offers visitors the opportunity to experience the rural environment, learning about the traditions, customs and rich wine culture of the region. The main objective of this research is to analyze rural tourism as a multifunctional strategy for farmers on the Wine Route in the municipalities of Villena, Pinoso, Monóvar and Novelda located in the Vinalapó region, province of Alicante. The research will seek to understand how rural tourism contributes to the economic diversification of properties, while preserving the cultural and natural heritage of the region. To this end, bibliographic and documentary surveys will be carried out, as well as interviews with key stakeholders, rural landowners, managers of rural tourism enterprises and tourists. The study aims to explore the potential and challenges faced by farmers when adopting rural tourism as a strategy for social and economic reproduction, also analyzing the role of public policies and local dynamics in this process.