ECOTOURISM AND RURAL TOURISM IN THE HIGH MOUNTAINS REGION OF VERACRUZ, MEXICO: POTENCIAL, CHALLENGES AND FACTS

Abstract

The called “High Mountains Region” from the Veracruz state, Mexico, has great opportunities for ecotourism and rural tourism as it is surrounded by rural and indigenous villages, prevailing the Nahuatl culture. All those villages shield ancient traditions and customs appropriates from this region; in addition, touristic activities represent a productive alternative for exploiting natural and cultural resources. This essay shows more than 40 different touristic initiatives currently in function. The type of touristic offer of these initiatives is also described, showing that most of them focused on tourism of nature, adventure and recreation, without considering the cultural richness prevailing in the region, as well as there are very few environmental education activities. Therefore, those touristic initiatives do not help to build up environmental awareness within the population. This essay also describes challenges in this region when facing touristic initiatives due some aspects as government paternalism and the lack of social cohesion. We conclude this essay by saying that despite social complications that exist, the region has a great potential for the alternative tourism, since it gathers high biocultural richness linked with imposing charismatic natural sites, but it needs effort and work to accomplish successful touristic projects to meet the objectives of an alternative tourism.