Tourism in Peru - Essay Example

Summary- (Tourism in Peru) Client Inserts His/her Name Client Inserts Grade Course Client Inserts Tutor’s Name 19/04/2012 Tourism growth in Central and South America grew at a rate, especially international tourist from the year 1995-1998. South America is expected to overtake the Caribbean, between 1995 and 2020 as the second largest destination for international tourist arrivals. These South American Countries encourage Ecotourism and they define it as a responsible travel to natural areas with environmental conservation aiming to improve the welfare of the Society (Santana 2001). Tourism project is one which is assumed that it maximises local participation, improves the wellbeing of the people and protect the environment. This can only be achieved when the local community is involved and fully participate in sharing of the proceeds (Sharpe 2010). Cofan of Zobalo, Ecuador showed the world how tourism planning and development is done by incorporating the locals. They used a unique approach that involved community business partnership with a mixed cooperative approach that was a benefit to the residents (Polunin & Curme 1997) Peru a Country in South America and the third-largest in that region, borders both Ecuador and Colombia on the North, Chile and Brazil on the East, Bolivia on the Southeast, and Pacific Ocean on the West. Democratically it is divided into 25 regions. The Peruvian population is estimated to be about 30 million and Spanish is the most spoken language (1997 census) Peru was one of the only three countries in South America that in the late 80’s and early 90’s was economically and politically affected, this lead to a reduction in the number of tourists who visited the country. Terrorist threats to attack the Country and cholera outbreak were other factor that contributed to a decline in tourists’ arrival. (Honey1999) Its wonderful ecology, cultural and historical diversity lead to an increase in tourism demand and in 1998 international arrivals was higher than that estimated by World Tourism Organisation (Kolff & Tohan1997). Taquile Island is a major tourist attraction in Peru, in 1970 many tourists began arriving and Cooperatives were formed to meet the growing demand of transporting tourists. Tourists are received, registered by a committee when they arrive in Taquile and are given accommodation by local family in an adobe hut at a fee. Each restaurant in the island is owned by groups of families who as well manage it (Kolff & Tohan 1997). Extraordinary weavings, skilfully woven from sheep or alpaca wool are some of major attraction for tourists in Taquile (Toress 1996). The major tourist’s attraction in Chiquin is its natural beauty, colonial churches, archaeological sites and thermal springs. Tourists prefer to trek or climb mountain in Chiquian during their visits with the guide of hired locals at a fee (Surhone, Tennoe, & Henssonow 2010). In data collection, both qualitative and quantitative methods were used so as to obtain accurate results or opinion based findings. The techniques for research used included survey on household, interviews on households and observation by participant (Torres 1996). A survey on household was applied to adults who were 16 years or older that had lived in the Community for at least 6 months and could respond on questions touching on tourism history, community unity and development and satisfaction levels (Surhone, Tennoe & Henssonow 2010). Interview was used to help in examining the decision making process in the community especially monetary concerned decisions. Participant observation entailed the researcher residing in the community for some duration and trying to observe the behaviours of the family members thus understanding them well especially the quiet one (Honey 1999) Research findings on Community integration in tourism were grouped as follows; tourism awareness and planning, community unity and action, community power or control and lastly socioeconomic benefit (Brandon 1996). Majority in the community were aware of tourism, and have played a major role in tourism development. In Taquile Island and Chiquian both communities differ in their respective level and intensity of community unity and action in the local tourism industry. In Taquile some events demonstrated a high degree of unity amongst themselves especially their solidarity during 1990 fight on the Puno docks. In Chiquian high level of community support for tourism felt by a few key-informants because of lack of unity and support from household representatives (Buckley 2011). On Taquile island local authorities encourage participation in tourism meetings and therefore it has a very high level of individuals in tourism service administration. Tourism decisions are made democratically, for example, representative of the various tourism committees and the local government are annually elected by all residents of legal voting age. In Chiquian only a few have ever attended tourism meetings or actively participate in tourism related activity (Harrison & Hitchcock 2005). Majority of the people on Taquile Island have received some monetary benefit from tourism related activity, either by selling handicraft or providing lodging. In Chiquian only a few people have received monetary benefit from tourism related activity, this is due to the fact that most jobs associated with tourism are part-time or seasonal jobs. Overall, there was a greater perception of direct economic benefits from tourism for Taquile compared to Chiquian (Brandon 1996). Tourism development on both Taquile Island and Chiquian requires a slow process of community interaction; active participation by all stakeholders, for example, local community, business people, political class and tourist advocates (Buckley 2011). On Taquile island awareness is created on community tourism that incorporates planning that has played a great deal. A collective indifference in Chiquin can be observed and most residents cannot benefit from tourism revenues (Torres 1996). In conclusion it can be stated that, Firstly, On Taquile Island there is a greater awareness about tourism as compared to Chiquin. Secondly, a democratic process is used by participants in decision making process on Taquile Island except for women that are officially excluded from local government roles while in Chiquian decisions are made selectively by those who are in the tourism industry. Thirdly, Tourism industry is managed locally l on Taquile Island unlike in Chiquian. Fourthly, both communities have benefitted positively and negatively by creating employment on one hand and revenue leakages on the other hand. Lastly, economic benefits are distributed equitable for Taquile residents due to the community unity and participation in tourism decision making and employment. Conversely, the trekking industry in Chiquian has dominated into a male industry sidelining the females. Read More