Participatory Development and Indigenous Communities in the Mexican Caribbean

Abstract

This chapter focuses on participatory study using tourism to bring development to the Mayan village of San Juan, in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico. Cancun was established specifically as a tourism growth pole for the poor, and thinly populated territory of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula. Mass tourism has encouraged the spread of American fast food outlets, clubs and bars. The chapter works with a local non-governmental organisation, La Fundacion Maya Kuxkinal A. C. of Cancun, to investigate gender issues in tourism development. It deals with a random sample survey of 27 percent of the households in the village to ascertain their attitudes to tourism and associated possible changes in lifestyle, especially in relation to gender. The chapter carries out a census of the village, including demography, land holding and housing. Indigenous community tourism projects usually involve some collaboration with outside facilitators or consultants.