Análisis de la gobernanza del turismo vinculada a criterios de liderazgo, participación e involucramiento de los stakeholders. Caso de estudio: Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

This study arises from the need to analyze tourism governance linked to criteria of leadership, participation and involvement of stakeholders in times of crisis in the city of Cuenca. The research proposed to identify the factors that influence tourism governance, exploring the relationship between leadership and legitimacy between public and private tourism actors, recognizing the mechanisms of collective participation of stakeholders and analyzing their role in tourism planning and crisis management processes. The methodology had a qualitative approach of exploratory - descriptive scope, the cut was cross-sectional between February and May 2023. The tools were semi-structured interviews applied to a sample at convenience: public (9) and private (6) actors. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that tourism decisions made by the public sector lack legitimacy, there is rivalry between the public and private sectors and leaders prioritize their own interests. In addition, there is no involvement of civil society in decision-making, participation mechanisms are limited to empty chairs and working tables between specific actors. The role of stakeholders is reduced to the socialization of imposed decisions and theoretical and technical approval is requested from academia. In times of crisis, the public and private sectors manifest associativity. In general terms, there is no tourism governance in the city, legitimacy is manufactured, decisions are unilateral and influenced by political capital for the benefit of actors with greater economic capital. Keywords: stakeholders, legitimacy, economic capital, political capital, decision making