Plan de desarrollo turístico del cantón Guachapala

Abstract

This tourism development plan is based on the analysis of the physical, socio-economic and tourism situation in the canton Guachapala, since the joint study of these three elements allows the approach of programs and projects that constitute important factors for economic and social development of the territory; Guachapala, like several cantons which are located along the Ecuadorian territory has attractions of different ranks and categories that need to be maximized in a sustainable manner. The main objective of this study is to establish a tourism development plan which will allow the cantonal authorities make Guachapala a developed and competitive tourist center in the province of Azuay, which in turn has the ability to create sources of income alternatives to the residents of the area and is in the ability to meet the needs and expectations of current and potential visitors without causing damage to natural and cultural factors, for that purpose on this study has been developed a proposal for programs, projects and services based on activities of analyzing needs, threats, opportunities, strengths and weaknesses of the territory which were determined through the application of various research methods; to obtain basic information regarding the physical and socioeconomic characterization of the canton primary and secondary sources were analyzed, on the other hand for the lifting of tourist information such as characterization of supply and demand, inventory and situational analysis of the tourist attractions were used surveys, interviews and field trips to the various attractions. At the end, this study was able to confirm that the tourism factor within the canton Guachapala is highly neglected, which can be easily verified in several features such as the poor state of much of its resources and tourist facilities, the lack of touristic signage and as well as the lack of a tourism development plan, etc. However Guachapala has a variety of attractions that in the future will be able to develop cultural, religious, scientific nature and adventure tourism.