Ecuador is a country with a vast amount of natural and cultural heritage. The diversity of its four regions has allowed the presence of several species of flora and fauna. Most of its fauna and flora is present at 26 protected natural areas. Also, it offers historical attractions, gastronomy, and a variety of cultures and traditions. In all these aspects, Ecuador has developed several modalities of tourism, as the community based tourism, which is considered as a strategy for development. It is also considered as an object of investigation which includes three fundamental perspectives: special sensitivity to the natural environment and cultural particularities, integral sustainability (social and natural), and effective control of tourism by communities. Community tourism contributes to the country’s brand at international level, being an element of growing interest in touristic market. The Guasuntos community has natural and cultural resources, which has allowed the incursion in this tourism modality. This, however, was possible through the creation of a product according to the needs of unsatisfied demand. A survey was applied to the local tourists who visited Alausí and Chunchi cantons. Also, the market analysis of the survey was carried out, and the potential demand and competition were projected. This helps to ascertain the unsatisfied demand in order to identify the needs of the national tourists. This study was developed as a contribution to the design of a touristic product with the aim of improving the population life quality.
Tourism is one of the main productive sectors that allow the improvement of the economy in diverse territories. The community of Guasuntos is regarded as a territory with natural and cultural scenic importance. The same, however, can be used in the development of tourism projects with the challenge of turning it into a competitive tourist destination. This was an alternative for local development in generating wealth in favor of the population, fostering the systemic competitiveness of the territory, and generating a guiding process that coordinates public, private, and community efforts. In order to involve the community in the development of this productive activity, an analysis of the situational diagnosis was carried out. Here, information was collected on the biophysical, sociocultural, economic productive components, political human settlement, mobility, energy, and institutional connectivity. In the territory, the inventory of natural and cultural attractions was carried out. This was done using the methodology proposed by the Ministry of Tourism (MINTUR). Finally, the characterization of the tourist demand was carried out. The tourist demand helps to identify the potential market with the consumption capacity of the product. The evaluation of the tourist potential in the territories allows for the identification of the vocation. However, this became a starting tool for the formulation of projects and a planning tool that contributes to the conservation of resources and the implementation of any activity. In addition, it ensures a potential and orderly use of them and serves as a developmental support for the population.
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