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ECOTOURISMECOTOURISM

- Rural and Adventure Tourism - Rural and Adventure Tourism

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STRENGTHS

• Wide difussion of the State worldwide (Chiapas as a selling icon)

• Natural and cultural biodiversity with tourist potential

• Tourist points known worlwide (Z.A. Palenque, Yaxchilan, San Cristóbal, Cañón del Sumidero, Agua Azul)

• Tourist affluence to the traditional destinys of the State

• Wide variety of infraestructure

• Growing interest of commnities to enter into the tourist activity

• Growing interest of institutions to support this activity

ECOTOURISM IN CHIAPAS

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WEAKNESS

• “Ecotoristic” centers developed without order and planning

• Lag between infraestructure developed and capacity builded

• Lack of capacity and experience in communities to operate touristic projects

• Lack of a joint and integrated vission for the development of this activity

• Tourist centers focused in landscape contemplation and not in activities (producto development)

• Lack of integration among tourist centers and with private sector

ECOTOURISM IN CHIAPAS

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“Biodiversity Corridor Planning and Implementation Program”

Associate Cooperative Agreement No. 523-A-00-03-00047-00 Reference: Leader Cooperative Agreement No. LAG-A-00-99-00046-00

Managing the Usumacinta Watershed for Economic Development and Environmental Sustainability

Objective 4: Communities and Partner NGOs Develop Economically Viable Responsible Tourism Projects.

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PROJECT VISION 2008

Mid-part of the Usumacinta Basin develops responsible tourism

activities, adopting economical, social and environmental best

practices

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O4: RESPONSIBLEO4: RESPONSIBLE TOURISMTOURISM

OBJECTIVE: Develop an inter institutional tourism joint strategy and responsible tourism activities adopting best practices

OUTCOMES: KBA 5, KB1, Sustainable economically activities, USAID IR2, IR3

PERIOD: 2004-2008

PARTNERS: Asociación Cultural Na Bolom, A.C., Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, Language School

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INSTITUTIONS INVOLVED

• Secretaría de Turismo

• Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas

• Comisión Nacional para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Indios

• Comisión Nacional Forestal

• Proyecto de Desarrollo Social Integrado y Sostenible – Secretaría de Desarrollo Social

• Corredor Biológico Mesoamericano

• Iniciativa de Prosperidad Rural y Conservación

• Asociación Cultural Na Bolom

• Conservación Internacional

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• Interinstitutional Joint planning for ecotourism development

• Develop and strengthening of capacities

• Support product development and commercialization

• Develop Ecotourism Best practices to prevent negatives impacts of tourism

• Promote cooperation among comunity based enterpriese as well as with privete initiatives (local tour operators)

STRATEGIC LINES OF THE PROGRAM

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MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTSMAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Establish a Inter Institutional Coordination.- 6 Strategic Lines were Developed:

1. Strengthen Institutional Coordination

2. Environmental Issues

3. Natural and Cultural Recognition

4. Commercialization

5. Organizational Development and Capacity Building

6. Infrastructure & Equipment

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MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTSMAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Establish a Reservation and Information Center

• Linking CBEs

• Linking CBEs with Private Sector (Local Tour Operators

• 16 CBEs

• 4 Local Tour Operators

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MAJOR CHALLENGESMAJOR CHALLENGES

Strengtheng the Inter Institutional Coordination

Institutional Agendas (priorities)

Political Changes

Establish Joint Action Plans for Each Strategic Line

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MAJOR CHALLENGESMAJOR CHALLENGES

Strengtheng SendaSur

• Integration

• Business Plan

• Comercialization Program

• Scalling up

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MAJOR CHALLENGESMAJOR CHALLENGES

Vinculate Tourism Activities (Ecotourism) with Conservation

• Develop a Code of Best Practices for the Region