Counterpoint between rural tourism, local development and territory in Cuba

Abstract

In recent decades, the decrease in agricultural activity in rural Cuban areas has been a constant, fundamentally due to the reduction of investments and the exodus of the rural population to urban environments. Transforming this reality implies, among other aspects, introducing structural changes and diversifying the traditional economy. Consequently, the insertion of tour-ism activity constitutes a strategic action based on the activation of rural heritage and the recovery, revaluation and strengthening of the cultural identities of these spaces and their communities. In this direction, the article aimed to determine how tourism management, based on the use of locally controlled attractions and resources and designed for small segments of the tourism market, energizes development processes in the rural setting. A methodology with a qualitative approach was used, and through documentary analysis, interviews and scientific observation, it was possible to determine the factors that favor the integration of tourist activity as a factor of local development in the cuban context. Among the results obtained, the design of a group of actions that enable the sustainability of tourism activity on a farm in the avilanian territory stands out, based on the integrated management of tourism potential.