Social capital and community-based tourism: The case of San Juan Atzingo, Mexico

Andrea Edurne Jiminez Ruiz, Bailey Ashton Adie

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Published conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    Abstract

    Over the past several decades, rural Mexico has experienced a series of social, economic, political, and environmental changes, which has resulted in a rupture in the rurality – agriculture dynamic. However, new opportunities have arisen which allow these areas to adapt to these shifts. Community-based tourism is one such opportunity as it provides for the development of new functions within the territory and the diversification of activities undertaken by the local population. This chapter presents the case of the Tlahuica indigenous community of San Juan Atzingo, located in the State of Mexico. This case study illustrates how the collective organization of this community has enabled the use of the biocultural heritage, in this case wild edible fungi ethnoknowledge, in a grassroots local tourism project. Additionally, the project has highlighted the influence of social capital, which includes in this case respect, cooperation, solidarity, decision-making and management of the activity, on community-based tourism activities. This combination of social capital and a rich ethnoknowledge around the local biocultural heritage has produced favorable alterations in the local economic environment, improvement in the local community’s living conditions, and, most importantly, has preserved their local heritage for future generations.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of Community Based Tourism Management
    Subtitle of host publicationConcepts, Issues & Implications
    EditorsSandeep Kumar Walia
    PublisherRoutledge
    Number of pages11
    ISBN (Electronic)9780429274664
    ISBN (Print)9780367223915
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 21 Dec 2020

    Publication series

    NameRoutledge Handbooks
    PublisherRoutledge

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