Methodological Proposal Based on Multi-Criteria Evaluation Techniques for the Granting of the Tourist Distinction Manor Towns

This study proposes and applies an objective methodology for the evaluation and assignment of the Pueblo Señorial tourist badge in the context of the management of cultural destinations in Sinaloa, Mexico. In the absence of standardized procedures to ensure comparability and transparency in public decision-making, a quantitative approach based on multi-criteria decision analysis was adopted. The research uses the ELECTRE III method to integrate 12 criteria linked to tourism demand and supply, destination management, infrastructure, cultural and natural resources, social impact and economic benefits. The data used come from official secondary sources, mainly from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography, and are applied to four candidate localities for the label. The results allow us to build a composite indicator and establish a ranking of relative performance, identifying Sinaloa de Leyva as the alternative with the best comprehensive evaluation. The application of the model demonstrates its usefulness in reducing institutional discretion, strengthening the technical coherence of the process and supporting evidence-based tourism planning. It is concluded that the methodological proposal constitutes a replicable and adaptable tool for destination management, the design of tourism policies and the evaluation of certificate.