Networks in Strengthening Community-based Ecotourism in the Sierra Norte of Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

Ecotourism is one of the most promising economic activities to achieve sustainable development in rural communities. However, despite the increase of environmental awareness that has been built up in society, this activity is far from being an economic activity capable of removing from rural communities that practice of poverty, which has forced communities to implement strategies to strengthen this activity. The aim of this paper is to analyze the factors that have led to the formation of two networks of ecotourism and the contribution to strengthening community-based ecotourism projects in the Sierra Norte region of Oaxaca, México. 58 questionnaires were applied to the workforce and key informants from the 11 community ecotourism enterprises which belong to the two networks. A map and a social network analysis were made using the UCINET software. The conclusion was drawn that ecotourism networks have generated bridging social capital, which has improved resource mobilization for infrastructure development, training and promotion, and generated new resources such as market information, logistics and certifications, increasing over time.
Keywords: Networks, Ecotourism, Social capital, Public policy, Community organizatio