BIODIVERSITY AS AN ORGANIZING PRINCIPLE: A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND HEALTH PROMOTION IN THE GUAMUHAYA GEOPARK, CUBA

The biodiversity of the Guamuhaya Geopark represents an exceptional heritage that transcends mere geodiversity, incorporating ecological values characterized by a high degree of endemism. However, its tourism management lacks a theoretical framework that explicitly connects biological richness with human well-being. The objective of this study was to propose an interdisciplinary conceptual framework linking the Geopark’s biodiversity with sustainable tourism and holistic health. Through documentary research integrating a literature review on cultural ecosystem services, biophilia, and the WHO definition of health, alongside an analysis of the Cuban legal framework for protected areas and the Geopark itself an operational model was developed. This model posits that biodiversity which can be observed and experienced in ecosystems such as the cloud forests of Topes de Collantes or Lake Hanabanilla serves as a foundational resource that, when managed through scientific and wellness-oriented ecotourism, generates positive impacts. Three pathways for benefit are identified: psychological (anxiety reduction through the fascination sparked by the complexity of life), physical (activity within environments with high atmospheric quality), and immunological (exposure to forest-derived phytochemicals). The model integrates four constructs biodiversity, sustainable tourism, holistic health, and the local community within the context of the national development strategy. Hypotheses are derived regarding the relationship between the perception of biodiversity, visitor motivation, and improvements in well-being. This study lays the groundwork for future empirical research and aims to guide the management of the Geopark by positioning its biological capital as a vehicle for regenerative physical and mental health.