Reconfiguration of the local economy in tourist environments
links be-tween agriculture, tourism and inequality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7784/rbtur.v20.3534Keywords:
Economic diversification, Tourism management, Perception, Sustainability, Rural tourismAbstract
The expansion of tourism in rural areas has generated economic transformations that reconfigure relationships between productive sectors, livelihoods, and territorial dynamics. This study analyzes the reconfiguration of the local economy in tourist areas of La Convención (Cusco, Peru), with an emphasis on the links between agriculture and tourism, the transformation of income, and its implications for territorial inequality and the cost of living. It adopts a qualitative-interpretive approach with a multiple case study design in nine tourist areas. Data was obtained through 27 semi-structured interviews with local actors involved in agricultural activities, tourism, and territorial management, and was analyzed using thematic coding with Atlas.ti. The results reveal a hybrid territorial economy, where tourism does not replace the agricultural base but rather redefines it through productive diversification, the agro-industrialization of cacao and coffee, and the enhancement of gastronomic value. However, this complementarity coexists with tensions associated with labor reallocation, changes in land use, and competition for resources. Furthermore, tourism growth increases the cost of living and exacerbates inequalities when the benefits are concentrated among actors with greater capital. The study provides empirical evidence and highlights the need for policies that strengthen production chains, territorial governance, and equity.
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