Commercialization and Touristic Potential of Wild Orchids of Central Veracruz, Mexico

Arturo Hernández-García, Obdulia Baltazar-Bernal (), Benito Ramírez-Valverde and Jesús Zavala-Ruiz
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Arturo Hernández-García: Colegio de Postgraduados Campus Córdoba, Km. 348, Carretera Federal Córdoba-Veracruz, Amatlán de los Reyes 94953, Mexico
Obdulia Baltazar-Bernal: Colegio de Postgraduados Campus Córdoba, Km. 348, Carretera Federal Córdoba-Veracruz, Amatlán de los Reyes 94953, Mexico
Benito Ramírez-Valverde: Colegio de Postgraduados Campus Puebla, Km. 125.5, Carretera Federal Mexico-Puebla, Santiago Momoxpan, San Pedro Cholula 72760, Mexico
Jesús Zavala-Ruiz: Iztapalapa Unit, Departament of Economics, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Prolongación Canal de Miramontes 3855, Col. Rancho Los Colorines, Alcaldía Tlalpan, Ciudad de Mexico 14386, Mexico

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-14

Abstract: The informal commercialization of wild orchids in central Veracruz, Mexico, poses significant conservation challenges but also offers opportunities for sustainable development through orchid-based tourism. This study evaluated the potential of native orchid tourism as an alternative livelihood for local actors currently engaged in the wild orchid trade. Using a qualitative method approach, 17 semi-structured interviews, direct observations, and species documentation were carried out across eight municipalities. Snowball sampling was employed due to the clandestine nature of the trade. A total of 51 native orchid species were identified, of which 31 are actively traded—many under conservation risk categories. Four actor types were characterized: gatherers, nurserymen, collectors, and companies. Nurserymen and collectors demonstrated the greatest willingness and capacity to transition toward tourism-based conservation activities, whereas gatherers remained economically dependent on wild collection. Identified threats include overharvesting, deforestation, and weak enforcement of trade regulations. The findings highlight the need for policies that integrate legal propagation, certification schemes, and community-based tourism initiatives to reduce pressure on wild populations while supporting local economies. This research provides a comprehensive analysis of orchid trade networks, extending beyond market studies to explore their tourism potential and role in biodiversity conservation.

Keywords: biodiversity conservation; community-based conservation; ecotourism development; orchid-based tourism; tourism management; wild orchid trade (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:19:p:8801-:d:1762196

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