Turismo étnico y desarrollo social en la comunidad de Mayapo – Manaure, La Guajira
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Fecha
2025
Autores
Reinoso Pérez, Yalexi María
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Ediciones Universidad Simón Bolívar
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Facultad de Ciencias Jurídicas y Sociales
Resumen
El presente estudio se enfoca en el análisis del turismo étnico en Colombia, una modalidad turística que, en el contexto nacional, se encuentra en una etapa incipiente, primitiva y rudimentaria. Este tipo de turismo se define como un concepto que integra elementos teóricos y prácticos que lo vinculan con otras formas de turismo, como el cultural, el comunitario y el sostenible. En particular, la investigación se centra en la comunidad étnica de Mayapo, ubicada en el municipio de Manaure, departamento de La Guajira, la cual está conformada por miembros de la etnia wayuu. Este territorio se caracteriza por su riqueza natural, destacándose sus playas de exótica belleza, así como por la preservación de la cultura wayuu, que representa un patrimonio cultural inmaterial de gran valor.
El objetivo principal del estudio es analizar el potencial del turismo étnico como herramienta para fortalecer el desarrollo social de la comunidad wayuu de Mayapo, tomando como base su acervo cultural inmaterial. Para ello, se emplea una metodología cualitativa, bajo un enfoque etnográfico y un método de investigación inductivo e interpretativo. Los participantes en el estudio incluyen a miembros de la comunidad wayuu, operadores turísticos locales y representantes de entidades gubernamentales relacionadas con el turismo y el desarrollo social. Como técnica de recolección de información, se utilizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas, cuyo
instrumento fue un guion de entrevista previamente diseñado. Para el análisis de los datos, se aplicó el método de triangulación de fuentes, lo que permitió contrastar y validar la información obtenida desde diferentes perspectivas.
Entre los hallazgos más relevantes, se destaca que el concepto de turismo étnico es desconocido para la mayoría de los miembros de la comunidad wayuu de Mayapo. Además, se evidenció que las actividades turísticas que actualmente se desarrollan en la región no tienen un impacto significativo en el mejoramiento de las condiciones de vida de la comunidad, lo que contribuye a perpetuar su situación de pobreza y marginalidad. Esto se debe, en gran medida, a la falta de apropiación y valorización de su cultura como un recurso turístico clave, así como a la ausencia de estrategias que permitan a la comunidad beneficiarse económicamente de estas actividades.
Como conclusión, el estudio resalta la necesidad de redefinir y resignificar el papel de la cultura wayuu dentro del marco del turismo étnico, con el fin de promover un desarrollo social sostenible en la comunidad de Mayapo. Para ello, es fundamental que la comunidad se apropie de los beneficios que el turismo étnico puede generar, no solo en términos económicos, sino también en la preservación y promoción de su patrimonio cultural. Esto implica la implementación de políticas y programas que fomenten la participación activa de la comunidad en la gestión turística, así como la creación de alianzas estratégicas entre los actores locales, los operadores turísticos y las entidades gubernamentales. Solo mediante un enfoque integral y participativo será posible revertir la situación de precariedad y lograr un cambio social significativo en la comunidad wayuu de Mayapo, aprovechando el potencial turístico de sus playas y su riqueza cultural.
This study focuses on the analysis of ethnic tourism in Colombia, a tourism modality that, in the national context, is in its infancy, primitive, and rudimentary stages. This type of tourism is defined as a concept that integrates theoretical and practical elements that link it to other forms of tourism, such as cultural, community, and sustainable tourism. Specifically, the research focuses on the ethnic community of Mayapo, located in the municipality of Manaure, department of La Guajira, which is made up of members of the Wayuu ethnic group. This territory is characterized by its natural wealth, especially its beaches of exotic beauty, as well as by the preservation of the Wayuu culture, which represents an intangible cultural heritage of great value. The main objective of the study is to analyze the potential of ethnic tourism as a tool to strengthen the social development of the Wayuu community of Mayapo, based on their intangible cultural heritage. To this end, a qualitative methodology is used, using an ethnographic approach and an inductive and interpretive research method. The study participants include members of the Wayuu community, local tour operators, and representatives of government entities related to tourism and social development. Semi-structured interviews were used as the data collection technique, using a pre-designed interview script. Source triangulation was applied to analyze the data, allowing for the comparison and validation of information obtained from different perspectives. Among the most relevant findings, it is worth highlighting that the concept of ethnic tourism is unknown to most members of the Wayuu community of Mayapo. Furthermore, it was evident that the tourism activities currently carried out in the region do not have a significant impact on improving the community's living conditions, which contributes to perpetuating their poverty and marginalization. This is largely due to the lack of ownership and appreciation of their culture as a key tourism resource, as well as the absence of strategies that allow the community to benefit economically from these activities. In conclusion, the study highlights the need to redefine and redefine the role of Wayuu culture within the framework of ethnic tourism, in order to promote sustainable social development in the Mayapo community. To achieve this, it is essential that the community embrace the benefits that ethnic tourism can generate, not only in economic terms, but also in the preservation and promotion of its cultural heritage. This implies the implementation of policies and programs that encourage active community participation in tourism management, as well as the creation of strategic alliances between local stakeholders, tour operators, and government entities. Only through a comprehensive and participatory approach will it be possible to reverse the precarious situation and achieve significant social change in the Wayuu community of Mayapo, taking advantage of the tourism potential of its beaches and cultural wealth.
This study focuses on the analysis of ethnic tourism in Colombia, a tourism modality that, in the national context, is in its infancy, primitive, and rudimentary stages. This type of tourism is defined as a concept that integrates theoretical and practical elements that link it to other forms of tourism, such as cultural, community, and sustainable tourism. Specifically, the research focuses on the ethnic community of Mayapo, located in the municipality of Manaure, department of La Guajira, which is made up of members of the Wayuu ethnic group. This territory is characterized by its natural wealth, especially its beaches of exotic beauty, as well as by the preservation of the Wayuu culture, which represents an intangible cultural heritage of great value. The main objective of the study is to analyze the potential of ethnic tourism as a tool to strengthen the social development of the Wayuu community of Mayapo, based on their intangible cultural heritage. To this end, a qualitative methodology is used, using an ethnographic approach and an inductive and interpretive research method. The study participants include members of the Wayuu community, local tour operators, and representatives of government entities related to tourism and social development. Semi-structured interviews were used as the data collection technique, using a pre-designed interview script. Source triangulation was applied to analyze the data, allowing for the comparison and validation of information obtained from different perspectives. Among the most relevant findings, it is worth highlighting that the concept of ethnic tourism is unknown to most members of the Wayuu community of Mayapo. Furthermore, it was evident that the tourism activities currently carried out in the region do not have a significant impact on improving the community's living conditions, which contributes to perpetuating their poverty and marginalization. This is largely due to the lack of ownership and appreciation of their culture as a key tourism resource, as well as the absence of strategies that allow the community to benefit economically from these activities. In conclusion, the study highlights the need to redefine and redefine the role of Wayuu culture within the framework of ethnic tourism, in order to promote sustainable social development in the Mayapo community. To achieve this, it is essential that the community embrace the benefits that ethnic tourism can generate, not only in economic terms, but also in the preservation and promotion of its cultural heritage. This implies the implementation of policies and programs that encourage active community participation in tourism management, as well as the creation of strategic alliances between local stakeholders, tour operators, and government entities. Only through a comprehensive and participatory approach will it be possible to reverse the precarious situation and achieve significant social change in the Wayuu community of Mayapo, taking advantage of the tourism potential of its beaches and cultural wealth.
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Palabras clave
Turismo étnico, Cultura, Cosmovisión wayuu, Desarrollo social, Calidad de vida
