Perceptions of stakeholders and challenges faced by ecotourism management in a natural protected area in Peru

Abstract

Natural protected areas (NPAs) aim to preserve biodiversity, ecosystems, and the environmental services that contribute to the population’s welfare; their presence and maintenance are thus vital. The involvement of stakeholders through ecotourism is crucial to fostering sustainability in NPAs as they play an important role in the management of ecotourism activities and the implementation of development objectives, allowing for the conservation of these territories. This study seeks to identify the patterns and interrelationships between the sustainability-driving factors of local enterprises from the perspective of stakeholders in the Bosque de Pómac historic sanctuary in Lambayeque, Peru. A qualitative methodology was used to interview the actors involved in the Sanctuary’s tourism management. The results were assessed using ATLAS.ti software, version 9. The findings show that local entrepreneurs intend to meet an immediate need and have no tools to help them strengthen the business management, leadership, and innovation of their range of products and services to scale their business over time and promote the local population’s welfare. These results present several implications for management of ecotourism activities related to NPAs and their stakeholders.