Tourism, a local development alternative with gender perspective: Case study: La Garita - Salinas Grandes, León, Nicaragua.

Abstract

Tourism is a source of local development worldwide that contributes to different paradigms, with a direct relationship between tourism and development to the point of considering as equivalent expressions tourism development and regional development (Acerenza, 1997). In the case study Tourism, a local development alternative with gender perspective in the rural community La Garita, Salinas Grandes, Buffer zone of the Juan Venado Island Natural Reserve, department of León, Nicaragua, raise the needs for conditions of basic services and potentials for the development of tourist activity with a gender perspective in this community; applying a mixed methodology, inventory sheets, surveys and interviews were used to obtain the results. Eight natural attractions with tourist potential were identified, six were classified as primary and two as alternative in the production of tourism with national and international importance, and five cultural attractions as alternative with local importance. The population recognized tourism activity as a development tool for their community, claiming gender equality in family members. Seven tourist micro-enterprises (hostels, restaurants, tour operators) were identified, with men engage in fishing activities and boat trips, while women work in the kitchen, event attention, business management, among others; organized in the provision of tourist services. The main limitations for tourism development in this community are the access road in poor condition, lack of permanent drinking water and wastewater services. Institutions such as MARENA, UNAN – León and MEFCCA work as strategic partners to improve the living conditions of the population and the preservation of species in the locality. The trainings focus on food preparation, customer service, accounting, tour guides.