Food Tourism in Indigenous Settings as a Strategy of Sustainable Development: The Case of Ilex guayusa Loes. in the Ecuadorian Amazon

Abstract

This paper seeks to contribute to the discussion on how to enhance food tourism in emerging, tropical countries characterized by a large number of indigenous groups and a high biodiversity. A sacred plant for the Kichwa indigenous communities labelled Ilex guayusa Loes. (Aquifoliceae) is used as a case study. Twelve recorded interviews with different stakeholders of the Amazon region of Napo in Ecuador were analysed. The results of this qualitative research show that the Western-based theory on niche tourism based on experiential and intimacy theory is compatible with four principles which are related to the cosmovision (worldview) of Kichwa indigenous groups, namely: mutual learning, empowerment, regulated access to intellectual property and community legislation. The framework proposed seems suitable to understand food tourism in an indigenous setting. Furthermore, the integration of Western-based food tourism with an indigenous cosmovision might contribute to a more sustainable land use and more equitable social development.

Lecciones ecológicas de la historia amazónica: impacto diferencial del uso del suelo en las estructuras y biomasas aéreas de bosques secundarios en Napo, Ecuador

“…Ello puede fomentar la urbanización y los (cuasi)monocultivos; si no en Atacapi, al menos en la periferia -recuérdese que, pese a estar a cientos de kilómetros de Atacapi, las exploraciones petroleras provocaron cambios allí. (2) La empresa exportadora de I. guayusa puede generar interés en los (cuasi) monocultivos de dicha especie (Sidali et al 2016). En este contexto, para ayudar a conciliar la producción alimentaria con la conservación se recomienda:…”

“…Por ejemplo, usándola para turismo responsable -como dijeron muchos de los indígenas entrevistados, y protegiendo a I. guayusa con etiqueta de indicación geográfica, en lugar de favorecer a una sola empresa (Sidali et al 2016). La indicación geográfica otorga mejores precios a cambio de que la naturaleza y las culturas de todo el territorio permanezcan (Sidali et al 2016).…”

Assessing the History of Safe Use of Guayusa

“…JMVIH is a public hospital and is the largest health system actor in the Napo province, a region containing over 100,000 people [27] and one that is recognised as the having the highest level of guayusa consumption in Ecuador [14]. Hospital data covered a period of three years ending in 2017.…”

“…This domestic consumption of guayusa is anecdotally reported to be highest in the Napo province. It is offered in most restaurants and cafes, and it is heralded as an emblematic product of the region [8,14].…”

Social Perception of Rural Tourism Impact: A Case Study

“…Due to the characteristics of this type, the tourism development of rural areas has to ensure the territory does not lose the identity that makes it a destination capable of attracting the interest of an increasingly demand. Tourists do not buy products, they buy the satisfaction of an expectation and they value that expectation as an integral whole [6]. So, it must be measured social costs that can be derived from rural tourism development as rural areas are quite prone to adopt new values and ideas that in some cases can damage the idiosyncrasy of the place and population [7].…”