AGROECOTOURISM VALUATION OF TEPEXILOTLA, CHOCAMÁN, VERACRUZ, FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE VISITOR

Abstract

Agroecotourism seeks, in addition to the development of a rural society, to conserve its culture and biodiversity. Tepexilotla, in Chocamán, Veracruz, México, is characterized by being a high-marginalization community with broad landscape wealth based on its biodiversity. This community receives tourists annually during the Easter vacation period. The objective of this study was to evaluate the agroecotourism potential of Tepexilotla as a tourism destination, from the perspective of the visitor. The visitor’s profile and preferences were characterized through 63 interviews. The results indicated that the visitor is mainly from the region, and his motivation to visit Tepexilotla is to enjoy nature (65.1 %) and rest and tranquility (50.8 %). The main activities performed are swimming (61.9 %) and enjoying the landscape (50.8 %). The activities and services with potential were related to environment conservation, agricultural participation, sale of local products and hiking. According to the visitor’s perspective, the agroecotourism potential of Tepexilotla is high, although strategies that promote its development are required.