El agroturismo como opción de desarrollo sostenible en las comunidades rurales del cantón Jipijapa.

Abstract

This research addresses agrotourism as a sustainable development alternative in the parishes of La Unión and Julcuy, in the Jipijapa canton, Manabí province. Its main objective is to identify agrotourism potential in order to promote the sustainable development of these communities and propose strategies to strengthen their economic, social, and environmental development. The study applies a descriptive and mixed approach. The techniques used were surveys and observation, and the instruments used were questionnaires and registration forms. The sample consisted of 632 people, distributed between the parishes of La Unión (317) and Julcuy (315), belonging to the Jipijapa canton. The Google Forms platform was used for data collection, which facilitated access for participants and allowed for efficient systematization of information. The results demonstrate a high agrotourism potential, based on crop diversity, ancestral agricultural knowledge, and the community's willingness to participate in tourism projects. The draft proposal focuses primarily on resident training, the creation of agritourism routes, and digital promotion. It concludes that agritourism represents a viable opportunity to diversify rural economic activities, enhance local culture, and contribute to the environmental sustainability of the region.