Tourism is currently one of the most significant economic activities worldwide; however, seeing it only from this point of view emphasizes the consequences of the lack of tourism planning. This is why it is considered of utmost importance to consolidate tourism destinations from a sustainable perspective as a key solution to face these challenges; by balancing economic development with the protection of natural resources, cultural preservation and social development.
Sustainability is based on three fundamental pillars: economic, social and environmental. In this sense, tourism based on this perspective not only seeks to minimize environmental impact, but also to promote social and economic equity, ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism development. This means that destinations should be designed in a way that respects natural resources, promotes biodiversity conservation, and at the same time, involves and benefits local populations.
Sustainability in tourist destinations
Sustainable tourism destinations prioritize the conservation of ecosystems and natural landscapes, this vision and practices help protect areas of high ecological value such as forests, Natural Protected Areas, coral reefs, while educating travelers about the importance of preserving these places for future generations.
It also promotes the economic development of local communities in an equitable manner. Instead of depending on large hotel chains and multinational companies, it encourages the creation of local businesses and the training of tour guides, which strengthens the local and regional economy by generating direct employment in the community and can be reflected in better living conditions.
San Joaquín, huapango cathedral
Queretaro has places full of culture and nature that make them perfect destinations for tourism, such is the case of San Joaquin, a small town located in the Sierra Gorda, full of forest, full of stories of the time of the mining boom and proud to be known as the cathedral of huapango, facts for which in 2015 obtained the appointment of Pueblo Magico, which has contributed to the arrival of tourists.
However, in the life cycle of San Joaquín as a tourist destination, it is necessary to mainstream sustainable issues. In this context, governmental actors were consulted about planning and how tourism is perceived in the municipality and as part of the responses it was found that although it is the only economic source of the place, it has not had an important development and there are several factors that contribute to this, such as the lack of a direction (strategic planning in tourism), lack of interest, training, economic resources, projects that involve the community, apathy of the inhabitants, and the strengthening of the sense of belonging of the population.
Rather than seeing this as a problem, it should be seen as an area of opportunity, since being a young destination, it is still possible to involve actions associated with sustainability and regeneration; for example, through the creation of public policies, as well as a strategic plan for development based on equity, respect for the environment, culture and, above all, creating alliances that involve the population for the benefit of all.
In this sense, if we focus on sustainability and the creation of destinations based on it, the participation of the community as an agent of change in the conservation and responsible use of the natural and cultural resources existing in the municipality is considered important, but how is this achieved?
The community as an actor of change
It all began in the eighties with a federal reforestation program, an event that awakened in the citizen and farmer from San Joaquin, J. Felix Ramirez, the love for the care and preservation of nature, he who all his life had been dedicated to the field and the planting of corn, began to plant trees in several communities of the municipality, among them: San Rafael, Maravillas, La Soledad and Los Planes, where today there are 12 hectares of natural areas.
The land was communal, under the agrarian regime, and at that time, although there was some disagreement, the people of the community participated in the activities. However, once the program ended and with it the resource and the participation of the population, Don Felix is still fighting today to ensure that these areas are not left as just another project that is not followed up, both with the communities and with the municipal governments because, as he mentions, they are our resources, lands, forests, and it took years of effort and work to let them go to waste.
It is necessary that people become interested, that we awaken environmental awareness, that part of the public investment is allocated to forest care, pest control, waste management, that communities unite to demand a change, and that all those who are already fighting for this change are given a voice by people like Don Felix, who from his trench does his best to lead a life in harmony with nature and give back a little of what it gives us, besides being an actor of change, he is also a guardian.
In today's world, the sustainable look has become an urgent necessity, creating tourist destinations based on respect for nature where the community paves the way for this look to be developed, for this it is important that as a place that receives tourists to identify what is done in terms of sustainability and what can be implemented.
This is how tourism in conjunction with sustainability and a regenerative vision can play an important role in environmental education by creating not only conscious visitors, but also inhabitants, guardians of the place, united in community, protecting its resources.
What is most inspiring about this transformation is that change can start with just one person; when someone is committed to the well-being of their environment and shares their passion for sustainability, it can spread to others. This multiplier effect is crucial for sustainable ideas to spread and become collective movements, creating a network of conscious people who transform their environment and generate real change.
Article written by Dania Guadalupe Vega Muñoz, a student of the Bachelor's Degree in Cultural and Natural Tourism Management at the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro, Tequisquiapan Campus.
