Tourism in native towns. Construction of possibilities towards sustainability

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2025-1430

Keywords:

Sustainability, Geotourism, autonomy, Native towns, Mexico, Community rural tourism, Geoparks, Territory

Abstract

Introduction: One of the guidelines of rural tourism is its implementation in indigenous peoples, where autonomy is one of the characteristics that distinguish them. This is the case of the Mixteca Alta Geopark, located in southern Mexico, where nine municipalities governed by Indigenous Regulatory Systems have determined sites with geological value within their territory, to implement geotourism. The objective of the study is to analyze the process of appropriation of the tourism project in the Geopark municipalities, based on an analysis of strengths and weaknesses in terms of sustainability and autonomy. Methodology: The methodology implemented is Participatory Action Research, with tools such as participant observation, focus groups and semi-structured interviews in the period from October 2023 to date. Results: The first findings indicate that there are autonomous practices of indigenous people that remain and are applied in the Geopark's decision-making. Discussions: These have allowed the conservation of the sites and stopped their hoarding by external social actors. Conclusions: These practices are part of the social capital of these people, which has been a key factor in allowing cultural and environmental conservation for sustainability.

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Author Biography

Silvia Nuria Jurado Celis, National Polytechnic Institute

Agricultural Engineer in Rural Development from UNAM, Master and PhD in Rural Development from UAM Xochimilco with a postdoctoral stay at the Centro de Investigaciones y Estudios Superiores en Antropología Social (Center for Research and Higher Studies in Social Anthropology). She is currently assigned to the Graduate Studies and Research Section of the School of Tourism of the National Polytechnic Institute in Mexico. Her lines of research are Change and Social Development with emphasis on rural tourism, autonomy, sustainability and solidarity economy. From 2023 to date she has been directing a research project on sustainable rural tourism in the Mixteca Alta World Geopark, Oaxaca, working together with the Institute of Geography of the UNAM, Oaxaca territorial unit.

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Published

2025-02-05

How to Cite

Jurado Celis, S. N. (2025). Tourism in native towns. Construction of possibilities towards sustainability. European Public & Social Innovation Review, 10, 1–19. https://doi.org/10.31637/epsir-2025-1430

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