Reflexiones en torno al ecoturismo en Yucatán

Abstract

The objectives of this article are to present a general view of the tourist industry in Yucatán, to outline the theoretical and methodological approaches for the anthropological study of ecotourism and to analyze its recent development in the state. The case studies of San Felipe, Chun kanán and some nearby caves are presented to characterize this activity within the social and environmental context of Yucatán. Through the case studies and the reviewed literature we conclude that there ¡s no congruence between theory and practice in ecotourism. Some of the local implications are the división within the communities related to the struggle for the access to economic and environmental resources. Even so, international agencies and national government sectors promote ecotourism development in the región. It is necessary to consider the results of social studies referring to ecotourism for the future planning of this activity in Yucatán.