Currently, farm diversification in general involves a wide range of options, such as the evolution to ‘non-traditional’ products, the incorporation of product selling and/or processing on the farm, and the provision of tourism and leisure services. Tourism has been frequently the most strongly promoted rural employment alternative. In order to examine the evolution of tourism in the countryside, its current situation and potential for development, we have implemented a system of indicators that can be a useful decision-making tool. There are two main phases in indicators design: i. definition, i.e. determine the key factors that we should assess, and ii. their implementation and validation. In collaboration with Costa Rican researchers and authorities, we used participatory techniques with rural tourism stakeholders in that country to do the theoretical formulation of the indicators. To further demonstrate its applicability and sensibility, we proved their practical feasibility in Galicia (Spain), as the research group has detailed data about this region. The main results of the project were the definition of the dimensions and criteria to be assessed, and the application of indicators in different areas with sensitive results. The future challenge is to gather enough information in Costa Rica to implement the system there as well.
