Community Tourism Conditions and Sustainable Management of a Community Tourism Association: The Case of Cruz Pata, Peru

Abstract

Community tourism is generally carried out in areas and communities with a low level of development with a vast natural and cultural heritage that has the potential to attract tourists. Tourism development in these areas must take place in a planned manner, promoting economic, social and environmental development that generates decent employment that improves the quality of life of the population and guarantees the appreciation and conservation of natural and cultural heritage. This study analyzes the conditions of community tourism and the management of the Association of Tourism, Crafts, and Defense of Cultural Heritage Karajía, Amazonas, Peru. The study was descriptive, with a non-experimental cross-sectional design, using a matrix of the minimum conditions as a technique for developing community tourism and the survey of the management with a sample of 50 members of the association. The results show that it is feasible and meets the conditions of the Guidelines for the Development of Community Tourism in Peru to be part of the Community Tourism Strategy by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism with a score of 26.84, and the management of the Association of Tourism, Crafts, and Defense of Cultural Heritage Karajía presented a medium level with 72%. It was concluded that the community tourism enterprise managed by the Karajía Communal Tourism Association meets the minimum conditions for developing community tourism in Peru, however, it needs to strengthen the management of the enterprise.