Rural Community-based Tourism in Central America

Josie Keane, Alberto Lemma, Jane Kennan and Francisco Jose Perez

No 126117, Working Papers from National Autonomous University of Nicaragua, León (Unan-León), Researching Center for Applied Economics (RCAE)

Abstract: This case study evaluates the outcomes of rural community-based tourism in Nicaragua (five communities) and Guatemala (four communities), as an alternative to more mainstream tourist development. Despite strong community organisations (cooperatives) and some tourism natural assets (caves and culture) – and, in the case of Nicaragua, reasonable infrastructure and access to markets – the financial sustainability of initiatives has been badly affected by an inability to link with the main distribution channels (tour operators and hoteliers). The initial investment costs are high and barriers to entry are significant. Notwithstanding poor tourist flows, these have brought some economic and other benefits to the destination areas.

Keywords: Community/Rural/Urban Development; Marketing; Production Economics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 4
Date: 2012
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:naunwp:126117

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.126117

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