Análisis de la potencialidad turística del bosque petrificado Puyango para la inserción del turismo comunitario.

Abstract

The present case study was carried out in order to analyze the tourist activity belonging to the community of Puyango. Tourism is an alternative economic activity that offers substantial changes in society and economy, has eradicated part of poverty in some developed and developing countries. The community tourism modality is an excellent option to reactivate the local economy. It can be mentioned that community tourism attracts attention due to the participation, communication and development of various traditional activities that people usually live in these rural areas. The population not only participates in economic activities to provide tourists, but also allows them to transmit knowledge from generation to generation, with the purpose of preserving their identity and fostering respect for ancestral traditions. The tourism activity in Ecuador has caused a major change in society, we can mention the increase in the employment rate and the eradication of poverty. In addition, the management by the competent authorities has allowed the promotion of small and medium enterprises that are dedicated to offer tourism and complementary services, such as accommodation, catering, entertainment. All these factors contribute to improve the productive matrix, since new industries are born, and therefore the economy is stimulated, generating new currencies for the country. The Puyango Petrified Forest is a tourist tract not developed to its maximum capacity, due to the lack of importance and intervention by the responsible authorities for the management and promotion of attractiveness. The community of Puyango is not involved in encouraging the practice of tourism activities in the rural area, due to the fact that there have been no activities to improve their professional skills, which allows creating added value to the services offered to the visitor. The limited advice from public or private entities or NGOs prevents them from engaging in tourism. Community tourism in Puyango would allow a social, economic and environmental change. Encouraging the dissemination of natural and cultural heritage, generates in tourists the interest of traveling and knowing the different natural and cultural attractions that the territory has. The Petrified Forest Puyango represents for the country, an important attraction that exposes in its environment a deposit of marine fossils and petrified wood. Being one of the spaces with these characteristics in the country and the continent, it becomes a resource with archaeological importance and above all, historical. The extensive influx of tourists in the Puyango Petrified Forest would allow an improvement of the traditional economy in the community of Puyando. In addition to supplying the tourist demand would increase the provision of tourist services generating in the visitor a unique experience and anecdotes about the trip. It can be evidenced through the present investigation, a scarce development of community tourism in Puyango. However, the local community does not provide enough for the visitor and does not supply the demand for products and services close to the Puyango Petrified Forest, preventing local development. Increase tourist activities of recreation, leisure and adventure in Puyango facilitates the attraction of foreign and domestic tourists.