Resilience of sustainable tourism in small territories during COVID-19: A case study of Urcuquí in the UNESCO Global Geopark of Imbabura

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely affected global tourism, and small territories face particularly serious challenges due to their limited economic and institutional capacities. This study examines the multidimensional effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on sustainable tourism through an analysis of 22 tourism establishments located in Urcuquí, within the UNESCO Global Geopark of Imbabura in northern Ecuador. The sample includes businesses both within the Urcuquí Thermal Route and in its surrounding area. The analysis focuses on key economic, financial and legal dimensions before, during and after the pandemic, examining variables such as sales, employment, financial stability, business continuity and government support. The results indicate that some businesses were forced to suspend operations for long periods, leading to a sharp drop in revenue, and that they took various measures to survive. Specifically, 77% of establishments reported an average 75% decline in income, while 59% closed for periods of 1–6 months and 36% remained closed for more than six months, evidencing the depth of the crisis. A case study of a thermal tourism complex illustrates how innovative measures fostered recovery and resilience. By documenting how a small territory overcame the crisis, the study contributes to the understanding of pathways to resilience in sustainable tourism, with implications for financial strategies and public policies aligned with SDGs 8, 11 and 13.