Puesta en valor turístico de los saberes y prácticas ancestrales de la caña de azúcar de la parroquia Curtincápac Portovelo.

Abstract

This integrative project highlights the importance of sugarcane in the Curtincápac parish, Portovelo canton, both for its economic value and its cultural relevance. For generations, local communities have preserved ancestral knowledge in the cultivation, harvesting and processing of sugarcane, which have been fundamental in the production of products such as aguardiente and panela. However, the advance of modernization and the lack of documentation have put the continuity of these traditional practices at risk. For this reason, the research proposes their enhancement through cultural tourism, promoting authentic experiences that strengthen local identity and generate economic opportunities. The conclusion highlights the need to preserve this knowledge not only for its historical importance, but also for its impact on the sustainable development of the community. In this sense, the implementation of a thematic tourist route represents an effective alternative to promote the conservation and dissemination of these practices, integrating the local population into the tourist offer. Among the main recommendations are the promotion of tourism based on sugarcane, the creation of strategies for documenting and disseminating ancestral knowledge, as well as the implementation of educational campaigns to raise awareness among new generations about its value. In short, the study suggests that the preservation of these agricultural techniques not only benefits the local economy, but also reinforces cultural identity and the transmission of their knowledge to future generations.