Diagnosis of nature tourism actors through the application of a governance model, Penipe Canton, Chimborazo Province

Abstract

The absence of governance structures does not allow the articulation of actions between nature tourism actors that promote the tourist positioning of the Penipe canton in Ecuador. Through the diagnosis of the internal and external components of the nature tourism activity; Where techniques such as documentary review and the application of surveys were used, the main natural attractions have been identified, characterizing both service providers and tourists. In a second stage, the roles and functions of the actors immersed in nature tourism are analyzed by applying part of the method proposed in the doctoral thesis “Nature tourism in non-protected areas, case of Baños canton.” Based on the diagnosis of internal and external factors and the evaluation of the state of articulation of the actors, strategies are proposed that promote the fulfillment of the specific roles of each of the actors for the development of sustainable tourism in unprotected natural areas. from the Penipe canton. The canton has identified natural attractions in good state of conservation, with a range of diversified food services that have increased in recent years and with the attendance of visitors who do family tourism in the canton, preferably on weekends and holidays. Regarding the actors, the fulfillment of their roles and functions is partial, which is why the creation and operationalization of the Cantonal Tourism Board is necessary as a space for articulation of the different actors with the common objective of positioning the Penipe canton as a tourist destination of the province of Chimborazo, Ecuador and the world.

Keywords: Tourist actors, natural attractions, unprotected areas, governance, nature tourism.