Stage 1: Exploration
At this stage, a small group of visitors is interested in a certain place, attracted by its exotic, natural and cultural particularities, as well as by the lack of infrastructure, which institutionalizes the activity and gives an impression of exclusivity to the tourists. At this stage, contact with the local population is direct. The physical and social environment is not altered by visitors.
Stage 2: Involvement
Local initiatives begin to promote tourism and develop the destination's tourism plant, increasing the number of visitors. Contact with visitors remains direct. At this stage the destination already manages a seasonal market. Local entrepreneurs appear, and the superstructure is forced to provide new infrastructure related to transportation.
Stage 3: Development
The number of visitors begins to grow progressively. Foreign companies implement their infrastructures, significant changes occur in the natural and social environment of the destination. A certain distance is created between the tourist and the receiving community. Controls on lodging are required. The receiving community does not obtain direct benefits from the visitor. The "fame" of the destination distorts its demographics.
Stage 4: Consolidation
The rate of visitor growth begins to slowly but steadily increase and the destination begins to suffer from wear and tear on its infrastructure. The number of visitors begins to exceed the number of residents. The destination begins to depend on tourism economically. Efforts are made to maintain the tourist's stay in the destination for longer periods of time.
Stage 5: Stagnation
The visitor peak is reached and the destination is no longer fashionable. The environmental impact of tourism on the destination is reduced and part of the tourism infrastructure is used for other types of business. The destination begins to have more social, environmental and economic problems. The problems to maintain the old occupancy levels are increasing and the economic development takes place in the peripheries of the destination.
Stage 6: Decline or Rejuvenation
If a major reorientation of the destination's tourism activity is not carried out, the destination will enter the "decline" stage, in which the destination will not be able to compete with others, resulting in a drop in visitor arrivals.
The second possibility is "rejuvenation", where through a joint effort between public and private organizations, the destination is optimized, directing efforts to a specific market of tourists who are interested in the destination and taking care of the environment.