Empowerment of indigenous peasant women and community tourism in the Capachica peninsula, Puno, Perú

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this work was to disseminate the experience of the empowerment process through community tourism of indigenous Quechua-speaking peasant women of the Capachica peninsula, located around Lake Titicaca, Puno-Peru. Methodology: A mixed research approach was considered with the participation of four rural tourist communities: Llachon, Chifron, Ccotos and Siale. Direct observation, interviews with community leaders and a survey of 119 families who participated in the training and workshops were used. Results: 97% of indigenous peasant women assumed responsibility for the tourist services they offer and economic administrative control for the benefit of all household members, and for 99% of them, community tourism improved the quality of family life. Discussions: The process of developing community tourism activity was a powerful instrument for the Quechua-speaking indigenous peasant woman to develop leadership skills, economic independence and decision-making in her home. Conclusions: Indigenous peasant women achieved personal autonomy, self-confidence and conscious knowledge of the economic condition of their home through the income developed by community tourism activity.