Multi-criteria methods are widely used in sustainability assessments because of their ability to handle large and complex datasets. The MIVES method (Integrated Value Model for Sustainability Assessment) has proven to be a versatile and adaptable tool that can be applied to both products and services across a variety of research fields. However, evidence of its integration with other analytical tools is still limited. This study combines the MIVES method with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to evaluate the sustainability of tourism activities in seven destinations in southern Costa Rica, all located near national parks and nature reserves. First, a MIVES-based model was designed to compute sustainability indices across environmental, economic, and social dimensions, using thirteen normalized and weighted indicators. These calculations produced specific sustainability values for each destination analyzed. The results were then integrated into GIS using ArcGIS Pro 3.6, representing each requirement and indicator as a geographic layer with the corresponding sustainability value. This made it possible to create spatial maps that visually identify the destinations best positioned within the protected natural areas in terms of sustainability, as well as the indicators that most strongly influence each site’s performance—positively or negatively. The destinations that received the highest sustainability scores were Ojochal, La Palma, Puerto Jiménez, and Carate–Matapalo, with averages ranging from 60% to 61%, while Bahía Drake, Bahía Ballena, and Sierpe showed the lowest values, averaging between 58% and 59%. Of the three domains, the social dimension received the highest evaluation, followed by the environmental dimension and, finally, the economic dimension. Overall, all destinations achieved satisfactory sustainability levels, with an overall mean index of 0.60. The visual representation of results simplifies interpretation and serves as a valuable tool to support decision-making for sustainable tourism management.
Araya et al. (Wed,) studied this question.