A participação social como discurso institucional na agenda do turismo do México

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyze the adherence of social participation in political decision-making by examining the basis of public tourism policies in relation to the actors and their interests in the institutional discourse. Specifically, the Mexican Tourism Sector Plan (2013-2018) is examined to identify how social participation is present in the discourse presented. This research contributes to the debate on the development of tourist destinations based on the benefit of impacted populations, as opposed to private interests. It is assumed that the possibility of the involvement of various actors in the public arena is linked to the level of autonomy of the receiving communities, aiming at the consolidation of their cultural, environmental and heritage values, in the public interference for the development of tourism. It is concluded that social participation is present in the institutional discourse, however, public policies are directed to a central objective that does not incorporate the demands of society in general.