Rural tourism as an alternative for local development

Abstract

Rural tourism has been a complementary activity for economic development, enabling income diversification through the revaluation of agricultural activities, job creation at different times, the utilization of natural and cultural resources, innovation in local infrastructure, and the promotion of productive activities within the communities where it is implemented. The aim of this research is to analyze rural tourism as an alternative for local development, focusing on two rural cooperatives: La Fundadora Ecolodge in Jinotega (northern region of Nicaragua), which initiated community-based rural tourism development starting in 2010, and the Carlos Díaz Cajina Cooperative, located at Finca Magdalena (Ometepe island, Rivas, Nicaragua), which began its rural tourism activities in 2001. This research is qualitative, descriptive and non-experimental in nature. Intentional non-probabilistic sampling was used. The methodology was organized into four phases: i) organizational and documentary analysis, ii) field phase, iii) data organization and processing, and iv) analysis of results. Findings indicate that both cases emerged as agricultural cooperatives in the 1990s. In the case of the Carlos Díaz Cajina Cooperative, tourism has developed as a secondary economic activity, with benefits distributed among cooperative members through an integrated model in which the participation of local populations plays a key role in tourism management. In the case of the Eco-Lodge La Fundadora, the model identified is also an integrated one, grounded in the participation and coordination of community members and cooperative partners in organizational processes, the identification of tourism attractions, and the implementation of actions aimed at promoting sustainable tourism. Each actor assumes duties, responsibilities, and specific roles related to the comprehensive training and development of human resources. In both cases, tourism activities generate economic benefits for the community, both directly and indirectly, through the creation of temporary jobs, training opportunities on various topics, and the emergence of local entrepreneurship. The research highlights that rural and community-based tourism contributes to the local development of communities through diverse management and operational models, whether collective or individual.