97% of visitors stated that the Aigüestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park met their expectations very much or quite well.
A total of 272,372 people visited the Aiguestortes i Estany de Sant Maurici National Park throughout 2013 through one of its main entrances located in La Vall de Boí and Espot. This figure represents a 9.1% decrease compared to the previous year. The decrease in visitors is partly due to a very cold, snowy, and rainy winter and spring, which made access to the natural area difficult during the first half of the year; the floods of June 18 and 19, which seriously affected access routes and traditional paths in the park; and the generally difficult economic situation.
Despite the difficulties in accessing the park's northern slope, temporary access roads, and the impossibility of reaching some parking areas, the number of summer visitors did not vary much compared to 2012. In fact, the number of visits increased in August, rising from 84,190 in 2012 to 89,393 in 2013. It is also worth noting that the months of November and December also saw a greater increase than in other years, reflecting the deseasonalization or lengthening of visits to the park during the fall.
Visitor origin is obtained through a direct survey of all those who request personalized information at any of the park's information points, including temporary information points within the park. Regarding the origin of national visitors, the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Food, and the Natural Environment of the Generalitat de Catalunya (Catalan Government) confirms that the vast majority (75%) are Catalan. The remaining visitors come from Valencia (6%), Madrid (6%), and the Basque Country (3%).
Regarding foreign visitors, the annual increase in the number of Israeli tourists continues to consolidate, accounting for 32% of the total number of foreign visitors to the national park (who come to ask for information at one of the park's reception points). In a year in which the absolute number of visitors has generally declined, a small increase in Israeli visitors is still observed.
The country that registered the greatest increase in absolute numbers was Japan (166 more than in 2012), which allowed it to move up two places (to 6th) in the ranking of countries. The remaining foreigners who came to request information at one of the park's reception points came from France (21%), Germany (10%), the Netherlands (9%), Great Britain (5%), and Japan (4%). In total, visitors came from 64 different countries (one more than last year).
Furthermore, surveys conducted by the national park show that visitors have highly valued the free services offered by the information center and the permanent exhibition at each center. Most visitors were pleasantly surprised by the park's center in Senet and highly valued the exhibition in Llessui on the life of shepherds and the annual cycle. An overwhelming 97% of visitors surveyed stated that the park met their expectations very much or fairly.
Fountain:
Ara Lleida / Lleidatur Bulletin for Chus Castillo
Property Images:
Infopirineo