PERCEPCIÓN DE ACTORES LOCALES RESPECTO AL TURISMO COMUNITARIO EN LA PROVINCIA PASTAZA ECUADOR

Resumen

Tourism is a key sector for Ecuador, as it contributes signifi- cantly to the country’s economic growth and employment, particularly in rural areas. The Ecuadorian Amazon is a privile- ged region with a rich cultural and natural heritage, offering a wide variety of landscapes. Community tourism is one of Ecuador’s strategies to reduce poverty, preserve these resour- ces, promote sustainable development, and conserve the environment. The main objective of this research was to identi- fy the perception of local actors regarding community tourism in the Pastaza province. The methodology was developed in three phases (conceptual, methodological, and empirical). Its design was qualitative, and while its approach was qualitative, it was also descriptive, as quantitative analyses were conduc- ted in the study areas to collect information and validate the results obtained. The study provided relevant information for the development of policies and strategies aimed at the sustai- nable development of community tourism, fostering engage- ment with entrepreneurs, which is essential for tourism develo- pment.