Date of Award

6-2021

Document Type

Open Access

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Spanish and Hispanic Studies

Second Department

Modern Languages and Literatures

First Advisor

Christine Henseler

Keywords

ecoturismo, mujeres indígenas, ecotourism, indigenous women, ecoinnovation, ecoinnovación, Latin America

Abstract

This thesis focuses on the role of indigenous women in relation to ecotourism efforts and ecoinnovation. Through an analysis of three case studies, I discuss the need to account for both indigenous people and gender when engaging in ecotourism efforts. I first engage in a literature review that develops the complex relationship between the identity factors of indigeneity and gender. I then look at a case study of the hotel Taselotzin in Cuetzalan del Progreso, Mexico in which a cooperative group of indigenous women founded a hotel. I then turn to the Kichwa community in Ecuador and the organization Amukishmi to see how indigenous women have created an ecolodge. I finally turned my attention to the Cholitas in Bolivia to see how their two ecoinnovations of wrestling and street food have transformed the community, preserved indigenous identity, and empowered women. All of these studies delve into the deep commitment to preserving and protecting the Earth through the ecotourist efforts of indigenous women in Latin America. Ultimately, I argue that it is through ecoinnovation that indigenous women teach us that through the harnessing of local women, there is an opportunity for cultural, social, economic, and environmental preservation and empowerment, all of which are key in the implementation of ecotourism efforts.

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In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted.