TES Ecotourism 2013, Final (English)

7/28/2019 TES Ecotourism 2013, Final (English)

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COMMUNITY TOURISMA Model for a Regional Network in the Bajo Lempa

Monterey Institute of International StudiesTeam El Salvador 7

Arianne Rene DiltsAmy KesslerAnnie Rousse

January 2013


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Acknowledgments

Hearing the experiences and visions of the people from the Bajo Lempa has been anenriching and motivating experience, both personally and professionally. We thank themfor sharing their stories and ideas with us, especially those individuals we were privileged

to have met during the community meetings. We further thank them for their hospitality inshowing us their communities and beautiful surroundings.

We extend a special thanks to Ins Davila, Giovanni Diaz, Luis Ramos and Noh Reyes forsharing their knowledge and guiding our study. Without their direction, expertise andorganizational support, our efforts would not have been as fruitful. We additionally wouldlike to thank David Marroqun, Jos Dolores Rojas and Ricardo Hernndez as well as LaCoordinadora staff, especially German Reyes and Ana Reyes, for their logistical support andhospitality.

Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the invaluable support of our interpreterBrittany vila. Her role was essential in facilitating in-country communication.

We would further like to thank our host families for welcoming us into their homes andproviding us a delicious taste of El Salvadorian food. Through them we were privileged togain a better understanding of El Salvadorian culture and life.

Lastly, we would like to express our appreciation for the guidance and expertise of our TES7 coordinator, Adele Negro. Without her support, our work would not have been possible.


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Table of Contents

I. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1

II. Methodology ...................................................................................................................................... 6

III. Results and Recommendations ................................................................................................. 9

IV. Conclusions ..................................................................................................................................... 22

Appendix I: Methodology ................................................................................................................. 26

Appendix II. Albums of Community Tourism ........................................................................... 28

Appendix III. Community Profiles ................................................................................................. 58

Appendix IV: Glossary ........................................................................................................................ 65


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I. Introduction

1.1 Context

As a joint effort between the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the U.S. Government,the Partnership for Growth with the government of El Salvador may lead to an inflow ofinvestment to the Bajo Lempa region in the coming years; thus, it is important to preparecommunities to best take advantage of these funds. A likely possibility for the applicationof this investment is toward the development of tourism throughout the region.

Situated at the western end of the Bay ofJiquilisco along the Pacific coast of El Salvador, theBajo Lempa is an ecologically rich center for biodiversity home to some of the largestmangroves in Central America. The bay and its surrounding area provide habitats for adiverse array of wildlife and offer an abundance of resources of interest for an ecotourismnetwork, including mangroves, fish, crab and mollusks, birds, and sea turtles.

The development of an ecotourism network would offer the region a number ofsocioeconomic benefits, including improvements to the quality of local infrastructure, thecreation of jobs and opportunities that could involve local youth, and the generation of an

additional source of income. If structured correctly, such a tourism network wouldencourage developmentwithout placing pressure on the regions delicate ecosystems.Instead, it would encourage communities to conserve and protect their natural resources,while providing them with an incentive and the support needed to do so.

With the regions high potential for ecotourism, the Partnership for Growth presents both

an opportunity and a threat to the communities of the Bajo Lempa. On one hand, theincoming funding could provide the resources to develop the necessary infrastructure tobuild a successful tourism network. However, on the other hand, many community leadersfear that if the investment comes in too fast or without proper pre-established planning, itcould lead to the construction of large commercial resorts. Such large-scale developmentwould be likely to isolate generated income and employment opportunities, preventingcommunities from realizing the potential socioeconomic benefits that they could otherwisereceive from the development of tourism in the region.

To increase the likelihood of greater inclusion of community members in tourismdevelopment, it is essential for the communities of the Bajo Lempa to articulate their

visions of regional tourism. Additionally, for the development of tourism in the region tobe sustainable, communities should construct an integrated network of communitytourism. By including all communities in the Bajo Lempa and diffusing the impact oftourism throughout the region, the tourism network could better prevent the exploitationof any one communitys resources while helping to preserve the natural resources of theregion as a whole. Furthermore, an inclusive tourism network could also help to ensurethat each community is incorporated in the development plans so that they can share in thebenefits from the investment.


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Within this context, we as the Team El Salvador 7 (TES 7) Ecotourism Group focused ourstudy on two main objectives:

1. To help communities define and articulate, both through words and graphics, theregional vision of community tourism

2. To develop a model for a regional network of tourism by establishing short, mediumand long-term recommendations for the communities

This report explains how we applied and accomplished these objectives for seven keycommunities in the Western Sector of the Bajo Lempa: Las Mesitas, Los Clix, LaChacastera, La Canota, Los Lotes, La Babilonia, and Isla Montecristo. The remainingsections of Part I provide a summary of the lessons we learned based on previous research,as well as the evaluation of a successful model for existing tourism development in onecommunity in the region. Part II explains the methodology we used to achieve ourobjectives. Part III presents the results of our findings and elaborates upon short, medium,

and long-term recommendations for each community. Finally, Part IV provides a summaryof the key conclusions of this report.

1.2 Previous Research

In January 2011, the Team El Salvador 5 (TES 5) Environmental Team began theinvestigation to facilitate the process of designing a community ecotourism network for theBajo Lempa, specifically for the communities of Zone 1. Their team conducted a series ofcommunity-mapping workshops to help each community reflect on the feasibility of their

goals for an ecotourism network, and offered specific recommendations for eachcommunity and for the zone as a whole. Altogether, they visited five communities in Zone1: Isla de Mendez, El Aguacate, Ceiba Doblado, San Juan del Gozo, and Los Llanos. Theirrecommendations provided the starting point for Team El Salvador (TES 7) to evaluatedevelopment progress and identify what had been the persisting challenges of regionaltourism in the last two years.

As the TES 5 report indicates, a great disparity in the stages of development of the fiveexamined communities still exists. Of the examined communities, Isla de Mendez alreadythe most developed of the five had made the most progress in achieving therecommended short-term goals, including mainly improvements to general infrastructure.For the most part, the less developed communities had remained organized and hopefultoward future development goals for tourism; however, they had found it more challengingto implement the recommendation suggested by TES 5. Overall, a significant gap remainsin establishing the foundations for an intercommunity-based approach to tourism thatcould link communities together to share resources and maximize the benefits of tourism.Box 1 summarizes the main lessons the TES 7 team learned in the evaluation of theprevious project.


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Box 1. Lessons Learned from Team El Salvador 5

Isla de Mendez: Achievements and Persisting Challenges

The community has successfully made short-term improvements to localinfrastructure. The attainment of these basic improvements has been the first steptoward regional tourism development, and the community is now prepared to worktoward more elaborate medium and long-term goals.

The community should gain a better understanding of its potential to providea linking role in a community network. As a leader in the region, Isla de Mendezshould assume a leadership role in sharing resources with other communities andguiding the development of the region. For example, using their existing facilities,they could expand the current waste management program to include neighboringcommunities. This will help to maintain a cleaner environment on a wider scalethat, as a whole, will attract more tourists to the region.

The development of tourism should be a community-led initiative. Thecommunity should strive for a more active role in enacting recommendations andcontinuing to make improvements on its own without external oversight.

The community should create and post a map that includes all sites of interestin the region. Communities like Isla de Mendez that are already able to attracttourists should increase the flow of information in order to guide visitors toparticipate in touristic activities in other communities in the region. Encouragingtourists to visit other nearby communities may also encourage them to stay longerin the region. As Isla de Mendez is currently the only community in Zone 1 with theappropriate infrastructure to provide overnight lodging, this would mean that the

longer tourists spend in the region, the more nights they would stay in Isla deMendez. The end result would be a shared benefit and revenue generation for allcommunities.

The community could be more creative with human resources. In addition todeveloping physical infrastructure, community members could develop greaterawareness of potential opportunities for community involvement in the tourismindustry.

There is a persisting need for increased communication with neighboringcommunities. Consistent communication between communities in the region isessential to ensure the continuity of projects and to proceed forward with a better

and more unified vision. Isla de Mendez should collaborate not only with the communities in Zone 1,

but also with the communities in the greater Bajo Lempa, particularly those ofthe Western Sector. The more extensive the regional network, the easier it will beto attract tourists and maintain a higher level of tourism in the region.


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Los Llanos and El Aguacate: Achievements and Persisting Challenges

These communities are well organized and have actively participatingmembers. Participation is a vital component of the community-based approachand will be a key resource in establishing a tourism network.

These communities have been very creative in the use of their limitedresources. They have demonstrated creativity in recycling and repurposingphysical materials to compensate for the resources they lack. They should continueto implement this resourcefulness in projects geared towards tourism.

Any project that can attract tourism should also help to meet the basic needsof the community. These communities consider it a priority to first ensure thewell-being of their own community members. The development of basicinfrastructure, such as the consistent provision of potable water and electricity, arealso necessary to support hosting visitors in the community. Projects in thesecommunities might focus on improvements to ensure the basic needs of the localpeople, and most likely this would help to provide the necessary infrastructure todevelop tourism at the same time.

Communities should work together with Isla de Mendez and the othercommunities in the region. These communities expressed a degree ofdisappointment with the municipalitys tendency to prioritize more developedcommunities. However, instead of branching off independently and furtherisolating themselves form access to resources, they should aim to foster acollaborative network.

Communities must guarantee the protection of natural resources. As access tofinancial resources is so limited, further development must not jeopardize theavailability or quality of the existing natural resources that these communities dohave.

Shortcomings of Previous Research:

First and foremost, it is essential to ensure the distribution of information and finalproject findings to all stakeholders. It is unclear from the evaluation of the pastproject exactly who received a final copy of the report or to what extentrecommendations were explained and understood. Future projects must ensurethat all participating communities receive the final recommendations and, moreimportantly, that they understand what future steps to take.

It is also imperative to provide consistent follow-up with communities to guaranteethat any obstacles that arise are promptly addressed so that development forcommunity tourism continues to progress.


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1.3 Ciudad Romero: An Existing Model for Tourism in the Region

In addition to evaluating the progress of the communities that participated in previousresearch, we also observed the existing model for Ciudad Romero a local community thatcurrently provides a well-established example of how community tourism can be

organized. Ciudad Romero embraces its uniqueness and value as a historical site, and hascreated a tourism model based on its rich history. The story of Ciudad Romero as told byvarious community leaders provides important lessons that should also be considered infuture planning for the region. Box 2 highlights some of the key features of their model fortourism that have allowed for success.

Box 2. Ciudad Romero: An Existing Model for Community Tourism

Current Tourism:

Family homestays: provide an intimate opportunity for cultural immersion. La Coordinadora Center: provides a community space for activities and lodging. Historical site: represents the oldest community in the region. Farm tours: offer the opportunity to explore their unique agricultural techniques. Partnerships: work in close collaboration with the Mangrove Association. Active groups: demonstrate consistent participation from all subgroups within the

community.

How They Define Their Role:

Ciudad Romero seems to recognize its central role within the regional communitynetwork. They provide a central hub that first brings varied delegations into the region

and encourages them to explore neighboring communities.

Together, the lessons learned from TES 5 and Ciudad Romero as the current examples oftourism in the region provided a baseline to explore the opportunities for a more extensiveregional tourism network. These examples demonstrated what have been certainlimitations to development in the past, and indicated what might be leading factors forsuccess in the future. Building on this established baseline, we helped expand the vision ofa regional tourism network to the Western Sector of the Bajo Lempa.


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II. Methodology

In order to achieve our main project objectives, our team of four students from theMonterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) conducted research in the WesternRegion of the Bay of Jiquilisco, El Salvador, from January 7, 2013 to January 13, 2013. Our

research was guided and facilitated by the Mangrove Association and its governing localcommunity-based organization La Coordinadora of the Bajo Lempa. Prior to our arrival inEl Salvador, we corresponded with these local organizations to focus and structure ourresearch.

2.1 Selection of Communities

Once we were on site, the initial stage of our research was to gain an understanding of eachcommunitys vision and current capacity for tourism. Due to time constraints, we wereunable to visit communities from all three sectors of the Bajo Lempa. Thus, we requestedto hold community meetings with several key communities throughout the region. Weenvisioned that other similar communities in the area could then replicate the modelsdeveloped from these representative communities. Focusing on the Western Sector, theMangrove Association helped us select six of the eight regional communities to visit: LasMesitas, Los Clix, La Chacastera, La Babilonia, Los Lotes, and Isla Montecristo. During ourresearch, we also met with representatives from La Canota, Ciudad Romero and Isla deMendez.

After selecting the communities with the aid of our Mangrove Association liaisons, we thenmade a list of the representative sectors and organizations for each community. Our

liaisons contacted the point person(s) of each sector and community organization andarranged for us to hold a meeting with each community. Due to the proximity and smallsize of Los Clix and La Chacastera, as well as La Babilonia and Los Lotes, we arranged tohold two joint meetings for these neighboring communities. Thus in total we held four on-site community meetings: 1) Isla Montecristo, 2) Los Clix and La Chacastera (withadditional representatives from La Canota), 3) Las Mesitas, and 4) La Babilonia and LosLotes.

2.2 Meeting Protocol

For each community meeting, we began by briefly introducing ourselves and explaining ourrelationship with the Mangrove Association, as well as the purpose and methodology of ourstudy. The community members present likewise gave brief introductions. The first partof each community meeting was a three-step activity. At each step, we posed a question tothe community members, for which they then responded individually on one to threepieces of paper. For those that needed help writing, we worked with the individuals tocapture their ideas on paper. Next, each member came to the front of the room andexplained his or her responses. He or she then posted his or her responses on easel paper


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for everyone to see, attempting to group the responses by reoccurring themes or ideas(Appendix 1. Methodology). When necessary, we helped guide the grouping of responsesby suggesting themes that had already been formed. After all the community members hadexplained and grouped their responses, we asked if anyone would like to make any changesto the categorized themes and/or if anyone thought anything was missing. The three

questions we posed were the following:

1. How do you identify yourselves as a community? What differentiates yourcommunity from other communities?

2. What would you like to see improved or developed with respect to tourism?3. What is your vision of tourism for the future?

2.3 Brainstorming a Vision

After completing the above activity, we asked for the community members to brainstorm ashared vision of community tourism, keeping in mind the responses and common themeselicited from the first activity. During the brainstorm, we allowed for community membersto express their thoughts and concerns more freely, building off the previously articulatedideas. We concurrently documented their ideas on easel paper for everyone to see,clarifying key themes when necessary and reiterating the central ideas as they wererepeated.

2.4 Photo Documentation

For the final part of each community meeting, we provided the community memberspresent with four cameras to share among them: two disposable and two digital. Weinstructed the community members to take photos then and there of the sites or activitiesin their community that they considered either unique or desirable to develop for tourismin the future. We explained that the photos could highlight certain aspects of theircommunity that make them proud and/or represent potential for future communitytourism development. The community members left for approximately one to two hours,after which they returned to describe what photos they had taken and why. Additionally,we asked them how they envisioned the subject of their photos within a framework ofcommunity tourism and how they would like to see it be developed in the future (AppendixI. Methodology).

2.5 Site Visits

After each community meeting, we took a tour of the community to visit the sites that thecommunity members had mentioned during the meeting, as well as any additional sites of


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interest for tourism. We recorded the location of each place we visited and tooksupplementary photos of each site, holding informal interviews with any communitymembers that we encountered.

2.6 Concluding Phase

From the responses and information that we gathered during the community meetings, wethen formulated the shared visions of community tourism contained in this report. Weaspired to portray the ideas and intentions of the community members as accurately aspossible through the shared visions. As such, we included both the direct words of thecommunity members, along with our articulation of their ideas, to compose acomprehensive shared vision for the whole region. The final regional vision reflects thethemes that were common to and emphasized by each community.

To provide a visual representation of their ideas and aspirations for community tourism,our project team then constructed an Album of Community Tourism for each community

(Appendix II. Albums of Community Tourism). We used both the photos taken by thecommunity members and the supplementary photos that we took during our tours of thecommunities. The Albums of Community Tourism highlight the activities and sites thateach community could currently offer tourists, as well as ideas to develop communitytourism in the future.

In these albums, we also included community profiles that present compiled data on thesocial and economic status of each community (Appendix III. Community Profiles). Wecollected this data mainly from the Diagnstico Socioeconmico de 8 comunidades del sectoroccidental de la Baha de Jiquilisco, a special socioeconomic report prepared by the Institutode Ciencias del Mar y Limnologa de El Salvador (ICMARES) in 2009. Additionally, we

supplemented these figures with our own field observations.

On the basis of the shared community visions, we developed a model for regional tourism,designating specific recommendations for each community. We created tables to organizethese recommendations into short, medium and long-term objectives. We also expressedthis model visually by designing community tourism maps that highlighteach communitysrespective touristic specializations, in addition to the potential for an integrated regionaltourism network.


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III. Results and Recommendations

3. 1 Shared Community Visions

To define the regional vision for community tourism, we composed the following sharedvisions:

Las Mesitas: Las Mesitas envisions a sustainable and self-realized development ofcommunity tourism that improves the quality of life and protects their naturalresources for current and future generations. To do so they articulate the need todevelop a plan for the sustainable extraction and use of their natural resources with amultigenerational emphasis. They additionally state the need to maintain andstrengthen relations with supporting organizations such as the Mangrove Associationand MIIS, as well as improve the documentation of community projects and meetings.Finally, they emphasize the need to ensure that community members are directlyinvolved in the design and development of tourism so as to guarantee that they will bethe primary beneficiaries.

La Chacastera, Los Clix, and La Canota: The communities of La Chacastera, LosClix and La Canota envision a unified and inclusive development of communitytourism that protects their natural resources in addition to providing a variety of jobopportunities for income generation, specifically for the youth. They stress theimportance of comprehensive community collaboration through democraticprocesses. Specifically, they articulate the need for a community group in charge oftourism development, as well as the need to improve their waste management

program through stronger community organization and educational campaigns. Theyfurther emphasize the need for long-term planning to ensure that developmentbenefits future generations, improves the quality of life, and strengthens a range ofwork-related skills of current community members. Finally, they envision communitytourism that is based on mutual respect and understanding, that conserves the safeand tranquil environment of their community, and that strengthens their peacefulrelations nationally and internationally.

Los Lotes and La Babilonia: The communities of Babilonia and Los Lotes envisionstrengthening their organizational and individual capacities to develop a communaltourism based on the sustainable use of their rich natural resources and fertile land.

Such communal tourism would highlight their strategic location next to the rivermouth as well as their agrarian culture and local food production. They emphasize theneed to improve institutional support and infrastructure in order to ensure a safe andsecure environment for tourism development.

Isla de Montecristo: Isla Montecristo envisions a collaborative and inclusivedevelopment of community tourism that protects their natural resources in additionto providing a variety of job opportunities for income generation and training for


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employment, specifically for the youth and women. They stress the importance oflong-term planning to ensure that the peaceful and safe environment of theircommunity is maintained as well as the purity of their surrounding air and nature. Todo so, they articulate the need to develop a plan for sustainable extraction andconservation of their natural resources.

3.2 Shared Regional Vision

The shared regional vision of community tourism was defined as follows:

The communities of Isla Mendez, Las Mesitas, Los Clix, La Chacastera, La Canota, LosLotes, La Babilonia, and Isla Montecristo envision the inclusive and self-realizeddevelopment of regional community tourism that protects their natural resources inaddition to providing a variety of job opportunities for income generation, specificallyfor the youth. Communities emphasize the need for multigenerational consideration

and long-term planning for the sustainable extraction and conservation of theirnatural resources in order to ensure that development benefits future generations inaddition to improving the quality of life of current community members. They furtherstress the need to strengthen their organizational capacity and comprehensivecollaboration through creating a democratically run community group in charge oftourism development. Such a group would ensure that community members wereboth the primary players involved in the design and development of tourism as well asthe primary beneficiaries. Finally, the communities envision a model of communitytourism that is based on mutual respect and understanding, that maintains thepeaceful and safe environment of their communities, and that maintains the purity oftheir surrounding air and nature.

3.3 Albums of Community Tourism

We created photographic representation of the shared visions in the Albums ofCommunity Tourism for each community. Each album contains an assemblage of photosthat represents each communitys current and envisioned potential for tourismdevelopment (Appendix II. Albums of Community Tourism).

3.4 Recommendation TablesBased on the regional shared vision, we formulated specific recommendations for eachcommunity, including short, medium and long-term objectives. These recommendationsare intended to serve as guidelines in establishing an order of priorities for eachcommunity to follow in developing the regional model for a community tourism network.Table 1 indicates the common objectives for all communities, and Tables 2-5 indicatecommunity-specific goals.


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Table 1. Recommendations for All Communities

SHORT-TERM MEDIUM-TERM LONG-TERMTourism

Committee Create a distinct tourism

committee for each communityto organize progress, and:

Oversee communicationwith other communities

Encourage communityparticipation by engaginglocal groups (i.e. youth,women, etc.)

Ensure security andpeaceful atmosphere

Ensure tourism does notexploit natural resources

Educate the community ontourism opportunities

Establish point-person fromeach community committee tocommunicate with TES, Mangle

Evaluate and organize tourismprogress

Take charge of advertising andpublicity

Continue to ensure security andpeaceful atmosphere Install street lighting

Continue to ensure tourism doesnot exploit natural resources

Continue to evaluate and organizetourism progress

Continue to organize advertisingand publicity

Continue to ensure security andpeaceful atmosphere Train and hire security guards

for touristic activities (asneeded)

Continue to ensure tourism doesnot exploit natural resources

Communication Establish clear lines of regularcommunication betweencommunities

Define tourism specializationsfor each community

Begin clear documentation ofimprovements, work-in-progress, visitor information

Maintain communication withTES, Mangle

Maintain clear lines of regularcommunication betweencommunities

Maintain clear documentation ofimprovements, work in progress,visitor information


Maintain clear lines of regularcommunication betweencommunities

Maintain clear documentation ofimprovements, work in progress,visitor information



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Advertising/

Publicity Increase signage in

communities Each community should

participate in regional advertising

Create a website Create radio advertisements Create regional brochures

Offer information on regionaltourism activities to national andinternational tourist agencies

Waste

Management Establish a waste management

committee for each community

with responsibilities to: Collaborate with tourism

committee

Collaborate with ADESCOand Mangle

Educate the community onwaste management

Create anti-pollutioncampaigns

Install more waste bins intouristic sites

Install more waste binsthroughout communities

Establish community-widerecycling program with an

educational component

Human

Resources Train tour guides for touristic

routes Train community members in

tourism hospitality

Include English lessons Provide trainings for:

Fishermen to show touristshow to catch and preparefish/shrimp/punche crabs

Fishermen to show touristshow to make nets

Mangrove tour guides toidentify plant and animalspecies

Continue training for tourismhospitality

Continue to include English lessons Continue training for tour guides


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Natural

Resources Maintain cleanliness of

mangroves, forests, shrimpfarms

Maintain efforts to reduceexploitive activities

Comply with PLES mandate Work with resource rangers

Create sustainability plan

Maintain cleanliness of mangroves,forests, shrimp farms


Comply with PLES mandate Work with resource rangers Maintain sustainability plan

Maintain cleanliness of mangroves,forests, shrimp farms


Comply with PLES mandate Work with resource rangers Maintain sustainability plan


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Table 2. Las Mesitas: Recommendations Table

SHORT-TERM MEDIUM-TERM LONG-TERM

Infrastructure Investigate access to potablewater

Clean and maintain main road Clean public latrines Clean canals and remove wood Acquire megaphone at Look-

Out Tower

Improve signage for communityoff main road

Acquire potable water (offerbottled water)

Improve main road Improve/repair access road to

beach

Maintain canal cleanliness Improve sanitation

Maintain latrines on trail Remodel/refurnish information

center

Establish market at informationcenter to sell artisanal goods,fruits, drinks

Install hammocks

Build tilapia ponds

Transportation Establish transportationnetwork with Los Clix, LaChacastera, La Canota

Improve transportation network toinclude other neighboringcommunities: La Babilonia, LosLotes, Isla Montecristo

Establish horseback/bike routeto neighboring communities

Acquire lancha-boats Improve transportation network

to include Isla de Mendez

Advertising/

Publicity Increase signage off main road:

Womens CooperativeBakery

Mangrove trail

Participate in regional advertising Highlight tourism stations along

Mangrove Trail and WomensCooperative Bakery

Tourist Lodging Establish homes available fortourists lodging

Create plan for future touristlodging

Build cabaas with latrines


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Information Site Designate community center astourism information site

Post TES map of tourismnetwork at information site

Provide at information site: Regional brochures Information on touristic

routes/activities

Information on mangroves,punche crabs, shrimp farms

Historical information Information on connecting toother communities

Update information on touristicroutes/activities available

Touristic Routes Define potential routes Mangrove tours Shrimp pond tours Beach tours Horseback tours Coconut palm tours

Make map of all possible routes

Establish routes Mangrove tour

Identify plant and animalspecies

Offer lessons on how to trapand preparepunche crabs

Shrimp pond tours Offer lessons on how to

make shrimp nets Offer lessons on how to

catch and prepare shrimp

Coconut palm tour Show how coconuts are

planted/produced forsweets, oils, products

Put up signs to indicate routes Offer horseback/bike tours

Set up tour of tilapia ponds, oncebuilt

Food/Beverage Maintain shrimp ponds Create gardens to pick-your-ownfruits and vegetables

Create food stand at informationcenter with local foods

Build rancho with hammocks andgrill/stove where tourists (for fee)can rent space to cook what theyhave caught on tours


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Table 3. Los Clix, La Chacastera, and La Canota: Recommendations Table


Infrastructure Clean canals Decide what to do with church

open space

Ideas: build bookstore,park, clinic, internet caf,

or church building

Improve roads Build dock on canal Clean and repair Los Clix pool

Build rancho Sell fruits on site

Repair La Canota schoolhouse touse as a communal building/floodshelter

Create park by Los Clix pool Sell fruit and products on site Build cabaas for tourist lodging

Transportation Establish transportationnetwork with Las Mesitas

Improve transportation networkto include other neighboringcommunities: La Babilonia, LosLotes, Isla Montecristo

Establish horseback/bikeroute to connect neighboringcommunities

Acquire more lancha-boats

Improve transportation network toinclude Isla de Mendez

Advertising/

Publicity Increase signage off main road:

La Chacastera Restaurant

Each communitysinformation site

Participate in regional advertising Highlight:

La Chacastera Restaurant Shrimp cooperatives Los Clix pool

Information site Designate Los Clixinformation site and LaChacastera Restaurant astourist information sites

Post TES map of tourismnetwork at information sites

Provide at information sites: Regional brochure Information on tourist

activities in region

Information on connecting to



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other communities

Sell products at information sites: Fruits,punche crab, shrimp,

sweets

Touristic Routes Define potential routes: Mangrove tour Tour to Hidden Island

Make map of all possibleroutes

Establish routes Mangrove and Hidden Island

tours

Identify plant and animalspecies

Fish tour Offer lessons on how to

catch and prepare fishand on how to make nets

Put up signs to indicate routes Acquire kayaks/canoes to rent

out to tourists

Improve fishing tour: Sell artisanal nets Rent out fishing equipment

Improve mangrove tour: Build rancho in mangroves

where tourists can bathe/swim

Food/beverage Sell fruits and vegetables onsite at La ChacasteraRestaurant

Fix floor and rood at LaChacastera Restaurant

Sell fruits and vegetables at LosClix pool

Increase capacity at La ChacasteraRestaurant to serve more peopleyear-around

Produce wine and juice from fruit tosell at market and restaurant


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Table 4. Los Lotes and La Babilonia: Recommendations Table


Infrastructure Clean up boat loading points Increase signage at:

Forks in the road Boat loading points

Touristic resting points

Improve main road Build rancho with hammocks at

boat loading points

Set up site to sell products Post tide chart Build public latrine

Strengthen physicalinfrastructure for floodprotection

Repair La Babilonia schoolhouseto also serve as a multipurposecommunal building

Build a (durable) dock Coordinate with Isla Montecristo

Pave main road (as funding allows)

Transportation Establish plan fortransportation network withIsla Montecristo

Improve transportation networkwith Isla Montecristo

Coordinate boat schedule Establish regional

horseback/bike route to connectneighboring communities

Acquire lancha-boats

Better equip lancha-boats with: Seats Shading Music Lifejackets

Community

Advertising/

Publicity

Increase signage to boatloading site and tourisminformation site

Participate in regionaladvertising

Highlight boat loading site andtouristic routes

Information site Select a home at a centrallocation for La Babilonia andLos Lotes to serve as

Constructranchos at the boatloading sites to replace tourisminformation site and provide:

Construct a permanent building fortourism information site near entranceof Los Lotes


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temporary tourisminformation site

Serve as headquarters tohire tour guides

Post TES map of tourismnetwork at information site

Regional brochure Information on touristic

routes/activities

Information on connecting toother communities


Touristic Routes Define potential routes Fruit plantation trails River trail


Establish plantation tours thatshow tourists how to: Make sugar cane honey Make traditional sweets Make sugar cane juice Milk a cow Make home-made cheese

Put up signs to indicate routes Offer tours on horseback Acquire kayaks/canoes to rent

to tourists

Food/beverage Coordinate with tour guidesto provide snacks/fruit fortourist groups including:

Coconut water Sugar cane juice Fresh fruits and

vegetables

Set up a vending point at therancho at boat loading point


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Information onrestaurant/places to getfood/beverage

Information on touristicroutes

Information on mangrove,bird, turtle, fish, lizard,crocodile species

Historical information Information on connecting to

other communities

Touristic Routes Define potential routes Mangrove tour Turtle tour Fishing tour Fruit trails

Mango, coconut, jocote Sell fruit


Establish routes Mangrove tour

Identify animal species:birds, lizards, crocodiles

Fishing tour Offer lessons on how to

catch and prepare fishand on how to make nets

Fruit trails Add Cashew trail

Make and sell jelly Put up signs to indicate routes

Improve fishing tour Sell artisanal nets Rent out fishing equipment

Set up tour of the cashew processingplant, once developed

Food/beverage Make sign for outside of therestaurant and throughouttown

Play Salvadorian music at therestaurant

Set up vending point by river Build restaurant by river


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3.5 Community Maps

We designed three maps to visually display the proposed model for a regional tourismnetwork: Map 1 for Las Mesitas, Los Clix, La Chacastera, and La Canota; Map 2 for LosLotes, La Babilonia, and Isla Montecristo; and, Map 3 for all of the communities

together. The indicated points of interest highlight the existing resources andinfrastructure within each community to illustrate the potential pathways for linkingtourism opportunities between communities. Altogether, these maps serve as visualrepresentation of how the communities of the Western Sector of the Bajo Lempa couldfeasibly implement the proposed recommendations by building upon existing resourcesand collaborating for tourism development.

The legends indicate the existing tourist attractions in each community, including themangrove forests (Mangroves 1-4), shrimp ponds and fishing spot locations (ShrimpPonds/Fishing Spot 1-4), swimming areas (Swimming Area 1-3), resting pointranchos

(Rancho 1-7), fruit orchards and local farms (Fruit Orchard 1-6), and restaurants(Restaurant 1-3). The map shows how each community could offer a unique experiencebased on their specific availability of resources.

According to the proposed recommendations, each community might considerestablishing an information site to provide tourists with regional information ontouristic routes and activities, as well as information on how to schedule a tour ororganize transport to and from other communities. Some communities, like Las Mesitasand Los Clix, already have a community center, which could easily be transformed intothis space (Information Site 1-2). Los Lotes and La Babilonia, however, do not currentlyhave a communal building. As the map suggests, in the short-term they might instead

designatea community members home near the entrance to Los Lotes to serve as thetemporary information site (Information Site 3). Isla Montecristo, on the other hand,has an existing rancho (Rancho 7) at the boat loading point that would serve as aconvenient location to establish a temporary information site.

The maps also show the unique existing infrastructure and resources that eachcommunity has to contribute to the development of a diverse network:

Las Mesitas has a look-out tower (Look-out Tower), which could be includedas a panoramic vista point along the mangrove tour.

If repaired, the abandoned school in La Canota could serve as a communalbuilding and flood shelter (Community Center 1).

Los Clix has an open space across from the community center (Church OpenSpace) that could be developed to serve multi-functions, including a church,bookstore, park, clinic, or Internet caf.

Los Clix also has a pool (Swimming Area 1) that could be renovated tocreate a park.

Isla Montecristo offers tourists the opportunity to visit the turtle hatcheries(Turtle Hatchery).


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Together these resources provide unique activities that each community could offeralong the network, all together contributing to a more comprehensive, integratedregional tourism network.

Map 1. Las Mesitas, Los Clix, La Chacastera, and La Canota

Map 2. Los Lotes, La Babilonia, and Isla Montecristo

Mangroves

Boat loading point

Shrimp pondsRestaurant and bakery

Information site

Swimming Area

Bike route

Rancho

Community center

Fruit orchardHorseback route

Church open space

Transportation to

Isla de Mendez

Look-out Tower

POTENTIAL COMMUNITY NETWORK

LEGEND

LEGEND

Mangroves

Boat loading point

Fishing spot

Restaurant

Information site

Swimming areaBike route

Rancho

Community center

Fruit orchard

Horseback route

Turtle hatchery

River delta

POTENTIAL COMMUNITY NETWORK


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In addition mapping out existing resources, the maps also indicate how communitiesmight improve the transportation network among communities, in support of the short,medium, and long-term recommendations as listed in the previous section of thisreport. Specifically, Map 1 shows where the communities could establish bicycle andhorseback routes (Bike Route, Horseback Route) between touristic sites to connect Las

Mesitas, Los Clix, La Chacastera, and La Canota via land. Map 2 shows a water-basedtransport system comprised of a total of four boat loading points: Anchor 1 in Los Lotes,Anchor 2 and 3 in La Babilonia, and Anchor 4 in Isla Montecristo. Both maps furtherdemonstrate how these two transportation networks could also be connected,facilitating transportation to and from all communities in the region both by land andwater. Furthermore, Map 2 also pinpoints a location to coordinate transportation toand from Isla de Mendez (Transportation to Isla de Mendez) as well, further expandingthe transportation network in the long-term.

In conclusion, Map 3 shows the overall potential network to link all seven communities

together. The red boxes summarize the main points of attraction for each community.This final map also serves as an example of a similar map that could be posted at all ofinformation centers to clearly inform tourists of all available opportunities in theregion.

Map 3. Regional Tourism Network

Swimming area

Boat loading point

Horseback route

Rancho

Restaurant

Church open space

Turtle hatchery

Bike route

Fruit orchard

River mouth

Look-out tower

Mangroves

Shrimp ponds/Fishing spot

Information Site

Community Center


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IV. Conclusions

In continuation of TES 5s 2011 study and in preparation for potential incominginvestment with the Partnership for Growth, the TES 7 Ecotourism Group conductedresearch in six communities: Las Mesitas, Los Clix, La Chacastera, La Canota, Los Lotes,La Babilonia, and Isla Montecristo. Our project had two main objectives:

1. The definition and articulation of the regional vision for communitytourism: This was realized in two formats: i) in written form- through thecreation of shared vision statements, both for each community and for the regionas a whole, and ii) in visual form- through Albums of Community Tourism thatshowcase the community values and opportunities for tourism in eachcommunity.

2. The development of a model for a regional tourism network: Based uponthe shared vision of community tourism, we devised specific recommendationsfor each community in the short, medium, and long-term. We formed theserecommendations with the goal of establishing a model for a regional network ofcommunity tourism that recognizes and promotes the specializations of eachcommunity. In addition to the of list recommendations, another critical elementof this model was the creation of community maps that visually illustrate thepathways for future collaboration and coordination of resources amongcommunities of the Western Sector of the Bajo Lempa.

Our findings in this report provide a baseline understanding as to where the BajoLempa currently stands in regards to local tourism, and suggest what stepscommunities might take in order to develop and build upon a collaborative regionalnetwork. We offer each community a unique set of recommendations that will allow fora unique specialization among a diversified community tourism network. To coordinateand facilitate development, we recommend that each community create a tourismcommittee to organize and oversee tourism progress. This committee would aim toinvolve as many members within the local community as possible, while alsomaintaining clear lines of communication with neighboring communities to encouragesynergistic and comprehensive collaboration.

Furthermore, all communities should strive to protect and maintain the health and

pristine nature of the mangroves, forests, and other natural resources. Together withthe regions unique historical culture, this natural biodiversity provides a unique centralattraction with high potential to develop the local ecotourism industry.


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Appendix I: Methodology

Picture 1. Methodology for constructing the shared vision of community tourism;Question 1: How do you identify yourself as a community?


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Picture 2.Methodology for constructing the Albums of Community Tourism;

community members explanations of the photos: Tourism of Los Clix, La Chacasteraand La Canota: Present and Future


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Appendix II. Albums of Community Tourism

Bienvenidos a

Las Mesitas

Los murales del Centro de Interpretacin ilustran la viveza de

la comunidad y su riqueza natural.

ALBM DE TURISMO COMUNITARIO


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EXPLORANDO LA COMUNIDADLas Mesitas es una comunidad grande y diversa con mucho para descubrir.

Se puede montar a caballo

para pasear por las calles.

En la comunidad, abundan los

arboles de coco. Su fruta se puedeprocesar para obtener una

variedad de productos, incluyendo

dulces y aceites.


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2EL MAN DE LAS MESITAS

La Cooperativa de mujeres elabora y vende pan fresco recin horneado.

Se prepara una gran

seleccin de pan para

todos los gustos,

incluyendo pan de

leche, pia, y chocolate.

Se puede visitar la

Cooperativa para conocer

como se elabora el pan

artesanal.


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UN TOQUE ARTISTICOEl Grupo de jvenes elabora joyera artesanal.

Se puede seleccionar toda clase de joyera:aritos, pulseras, collares, o anillos.

Las artesanas son hechas de materiales naturales, incluyendo madera, semilla, hueso,

coco, y morro.


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UNA RIQUEZA NATURALEl sendero turstico presenta la oportunidad de descubrir la riqueza natural que posee

Las Mesitas, desde los bosques dulces hasta los manglares.

El sendero pasa por El Llorn, el sitio

dnde el agua salada se encuentra con

el agua dulce.

Los cayucos son el medio de

transporte para viajar por los

canales y disfrutar de los manglares.


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4

Los manglares de Las Mesitas representan un ecosistema vivo y vibrante.

La glorieta ofrece un sitio para descansar en compaa de los manglares.


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Existen varias estaciones tursticas en el sendero donde los visitantes pueden descansar y

disfrutar de la panormica.

El recorrido empieza en la torrede alerta que adems sirve como

mirador.

La vista de la torre-mirador

ofrece una amplia panormica de

la regin.


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PESCANDO COMO UNA TRADICINEn Las Mesitas, la pesca es una tradicin y una forma de vivir.

El punche representa una parte importante de la dieta y la cultura.

Se utilizan trampas para atrapar los punches.


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Se atrapan pescado y camarones con atarrayas hechas a mano por

los mismos pescadores.

Se puede observar la Cooperativa camaronera en accin.


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Visin compartida de Las Mesitas:

Las Mesitas apuesta por un desarrollo sostenible del turismo comunitario que mejore

la calidad de vida y proteja los recursos naturales para las generaciones futuras y actuales.Para lograrlo, han expresado la necesidad de desarrollar un plan para la extraccin y uso

sostenible de los recursos naturales con un nfasis en las varias generaciones. Tambin

reconocen la necesidad de mantener y fortalecer las relaciones con organizaciones de apoyo

como Mangle y el Instituto Monterey, y quieren mejorar la documentacin de los proyectos y

reuniones de la comunidad. Finalmente, destacan la necesidad de capacitar a los recursos

humanos e involucrarse directamente en el diseo y desarrollo del turismo para asegurar que

los miembros de la comunidad sean los beneficiarios principales.

Agradecimientos a:

Ana Maritza Rivera

Jos Gonzales

Julio Cesar Landaverde

Jos Antonio

Jess Gonzlez

Pedro Castro

Juan Bonilla

Marvin

por su contribucin en la toma de fotografas y por compartir las ideas y visiones de turismocomunitario que aparecen en este lbum.


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Bienvenidos a

Los ClixLa Chacastera

y

La Canota

Las comunidades de Los Clix y La Chacastera son conocidas por sus

cooperativas camaroneras.



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TRES COMUNIDADES,MARAVILLAS SIN LIMITELos Clix, La Chacastera, y La Canota ofrecen una riqueza de recursos naturales y

tradiciones culturales.

La isla escondida preserva una seccin de bosque de manglar virgen.

Las comunidades realizan actividades agrcolas y ganaderas

a pequea escala.


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DESARROLLANDO PARA EL FUTUROEstas comunidades demuestran potencial para desarrollar actividades tursticas.

En el futuro, se pretende restaurar la piscina comunitaria de Los Clixy construir un parque donde los visitantes puedan descansar.

Los Clix posee un amplio espacio donde se podra construir un centro comunitario para

diversos usos: mercado, clnica, cyber, parque, entre otros.


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1

BUENA ALIMENTACINEl comedor de La Chacastera est ubicado a unos metros de la carretera.

Existe un rancho que ofrece un variado men de platillos locales,

con vista hacia los estanques camaroneros.

Existe un rancho que ofrece un variado men de platillos locales,

con vista hacia los estanques camaroneros.


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UNA GRAN VARIEDAD DE FRUTASLas comunidades cuentan con una variedad de frutas.

Se podra disfrutar

de una deliciosa aguade coco recin cortado.

Las huertas de

pltano adems de la

fruta ofrecen sombra

para descansar.


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UN TRABAJO COLECTIVOLas comunidades de Los Clix y La Chacastera trabajan en cooperativas camaroneras.

Cuentan con varios estanques, algunos se pueden apreciar

desde la carretera.

En el futuro, se pretende mejorar la produccin en los estanques para ofrecer

camarones frescos a los visitantes.


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Visin compartida deLa Chacastera, Los Clix y La Canota:

Las comunidades de La Chacastera, Los Clix y La Canota apuestan por un

desarrollo unificado e inclusivo del turismo comunitario que proteja sus recursos naturales yque provea oportunidades de trabajo para la generacin de ingresos, especficamente a travs

de la capacitacin de los jvenes. Enfatizan la importancia de la organizacin colectiva y la

colaboracin comunitaria a travs de procesos democrticos. Especficamente, expresan la

necesidad de tener un grupo de la comunidad que se encargue del desarrollo del turismo y de

mejorar el manejo de los desechos slidos con la organizacin comunitaria y con campaas

educativas ms fuertes. Tambin hacen hincapi en la planificacin a largo plazo del

desarrollo para que beneficie a las futuras generaciones y que mejore la calidad de vida de los

miembros actuales de la comunidad. Finalmente, apuestan por un turismo comunitario que se

base en el entendimiento y respeto mutuo, que conserve el ambiente seguro y tranquilo de su

comunidad y que fortalezca sus relaciones nacionales e internacionales de paz.

Agradecimientos a:

Rosa Elena de Soriano

Ramn Antonio Corea

Irma del Carmen Landaverde

Jos Atilio

Carmelo Flores

Israel Daz

ngel Senz

Miguel ngel Murcia

por su contribucin en la toma de fotografas y por compartir las ideas y visiones de turismo

comunitario que aparecen en este lbum.


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Bienvenidos a

Los Lotesy

La Babilonia

Los rtulos indican el camino hacia Los Lotes y La Babilonia.



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UNA TIERRA FRTILCon una tierra frtil, las comunidades de Los Lotes y La Babilonia se prestan para una

agricultura prolfica, a la vez que ofrecen un amplia rea verde

En las parcelas se produce maz, verduras y otros vegetales en abundancia.

En estas comunidades, la actividad ganadera permite

la produccin de leche y queso.


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2

1

UN RECODO DEL RO LEMPALa orilla del Ro Lempa cuenta con varios sitios tranquilos para baarse y descansar.

Los turistas vienen a La Babilonia para pescar, cocinar, y quedarsela noche disfrutando del ro.

De los embarcaderos, se puede abordar las lanchas para dirigirsea la Isla Montecristo.


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FINCAS FRUTALESLos visitantes de las comunidades pueden visitar fincas que ofrecen una variedad de

frutas y vegetales.

Aqu se puede realizar un recorrido para observar como se cultivan

el coco, el pltano y la yuca, entre otros.

En el recorrido, se puede probar las frutas frescas que abundan

por todos lados.


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RECORRIDOS CON TRADICIONESEl recorrido por las finca presenta la oportunidad de conocer las tradiciones productivas

de Los Lotes y La Babilonia.

En el recorrido se puede

disfrutar de los productos

derivados de la caa producidos

en trapiche, como la miel de caa,

el dulce de panela y el jugo de

caa.

O tambin, se puede probar

y disfrutar de una rica caa fresca.


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Visin compartida de Los Lotes y La Babilonia:

Las comunidades de La Babilonia y Los Lotes apuestan por el fortalecimiento de sus

capacidades organizativas y de recursos humanos para que puedan desarrollar el turismo

comunitario basndose en el uso sostenible de sus abundantes recursos naturales y tierra

frtil. Tal turismo comunitario hara hincapi en su ubicacin estratgica (puesto que est al

lado de la bocana del ro) en su cultura agrcola y en su produccin local de comida.

Enfatizan la necesidad de mejorar el apoyo institucional y la infraestructura para asegurar un

ambiente seguro para el desarrollo del turismo.

Agradecimientos a:

Mara Elena Murcia

Irma Allende

Leonicio Hernndez

Ofilio Andrs

Teodosio

por compartir las ideas y visiones de turismo comunitario que aparecen

en este lbum.


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Bienvenidos a

Isla Montecristo

La tortuga marina es una de los animales ms reconocidas de la isla.



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7

UN PARASO NATURALIsla Montecristo ofrece un paraso natural desde el momento del desembarque.

Los ranchos ofrecen sombra para descansar a la orilla del ro Lempa.

Se puede llegar en lancha desde La Babilonia o Los Lotes.


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Se tiene una vista panormica espectacular a la vez que un ambiente tranquilo.

Existen varios sitios donde se puede descansar a la orilla del mar.

Tambin, hay ms de 7 kilmetros de playas vrgenes.


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3

BUENA ALIMENTACINLos 2 comedores de la isla ofrecen buena alimentacin.

En el men se incluye como plato tpico el pescado.

Se ofrecen como productos frescos toda clase de mariscos y pescado.


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UNA GRAN VARIEDAD DE FRUTASSe cuenta con una gran abundancia de frutas locales.

En el futuro, se pretende procesar los maraones que abundan en la isla.

Las palmas de coco ofrecen fruta fresca y sombra para descansar.


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UN ENCUENTROCON LAS TORTUGAS MARINASSe puede visitar los viveros donde se incuban las tortugas marinas.

De aqu, se liberan los neonatos.

Recin liberados, los neonatos

se dirigen en direccin hacia el mar.


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Visin compartida de Isla Montecristo:

Isla Montecristo apuesta por un desarrollo colaborativo e inclusivo del turismo

comunitario que proteja los recursos naturales y provea oportunidades de trabajo para lageneracin de ingresos, especialmente para los jvenes y las mujeres. Enfatizan la

importancia de la planificacin a largo plazo y de asegurar que el ambiente de la comunidad

se mantenga seguro y tranquilo. Adems, quiere mantener la pureza del aire y de la

naturaleza. Para lograrlo, han expresado la necesidad de desarrollar un plan para la extraccin

sostenible y la conservacin de sus recursos naturales. Destacan la necesidad de capacitar a

los recursos humanos, particularmente la incorporacin de los jvenes en la realizacin de los

proyectos de desarrollo.

Agradecimientos a:

Brenda Leticia Argueta

Boanerges Lobo

Giovanni Daz

Jos Dimas Molina

Luis Orellana

Pedro Murcia

por su contribucin en la toma de fotografas y por compartir las ideas y visiones de turismo

comunitario que aparecen en este lbum.


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Appendix III. Community Profiles

Perfil Comunitario: Las Mesitas

DEMOGRFICANumero de habitantes 321Numero de familias 70

ECONOMA

Fuente(s) principal(es) de ingresopesca, acuicultura, agricultura,

empleo formal e informalPromedio de ingreso anual percpita

$600+

PESCAProductos marinos principales camarones, pescado

Numero de pescadores 3Numero de puncheros 51Acceso a cayucos NoEstanque camaroneros SiMtodo(s) de pesca redes agalleras, atarraya

AGRICULTURAFrutas principalesCultivos maiz, frijolAnimales vaca, cerdo, ave

INFRAESTRUCTURA

Cobertura elctrica 83%Cobertura de agua potable 67%Comercios de alimentos 1 panaderaSitios de alojamiento 0Escuela SiCentro comunal Si

ACTIVIDADES TURISTICASGuas tursticos NoRecorridos terrestres NoRecorridos acuticos Si

Comercio de alimentos NoAcceso a la playa NoAcceso al ro SiAcceso a los manglares SiAcceso al embarcadero No

Sitio(s) o actividades de intersArtesanas, bosque dulce,

caones

TEJIDO SOCIALCooperativa(s) El 35ADESCO SiComit(s) De mujeres

Grupo Local Si


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Perfil Comunitario: Los Clix


ECONOMAFuente(s) principal(es) de ingreso

acuicultura, empleo formal einformal

Promedio de ingreso anual percpita

$600

PESCAProductos marinos principales camarones, pescadoNumero de pescadores 2Numero de puncheros 1Acceso a cayucos SiEstanque camaroneros SiMtodo(s) de pesca Atarraya

AGRICULTURA

Frutas principalescoco, mango, limn, guineo,

maranonCultivos maiz, frijol,ganadero

INFRAESTRUCTURACobertura elctrica 79%Cobertura de agua potable 79%Comercios de alimentos 1 comedor

Sitios de alojamiento NoEscuela NoCentro comunal Si

ACTIVIDADES TURISTICASGuas tursticos NoRecorridos terrestres NoRecorridos acuticos NoComercio de alimentos NoAcceso a la playa NoAcceso al ro SiAcceso a los manglares SiAcceso al embarcadero NoSitio(s) o actividades de inters caones

TEJIDO SOCIAL

Cooperativa(s)Camaroneras, Mujeres

ganaderasADESCO SiGrupo Local Si


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Perfil Comunitario: La Chacastera


ECONOMAFuente(s) principal(es) de ingreso pesca, acuiculturaPromedio de ingreso anual percpita

$800

PESCAProductos marinos principales pescadoNumero de pescadores 1Numero de puncheros 23Acceso a cayucos NoEstanque camaroneros Si

Mtodo(s) de pesca atarrayaAGRICULTURA

Frutas principalescoco, mango, limn,

guineo, maranonCultivos maiz, ganaderoAnimales cerdo, ave

INFRAESTRUCTURACobertura elctrica 37%Cobertura de agua potable 53%Comercios de alimentos 1 comedor

Sitios de alojamiento NoEscuela NoCentro comunal No

ACTIVIDADES TURISTICASGuas tursticos NoRecorridos terrestres NoRecorridos acuticos NoComercio de alimentos NoAcceso a la playa NoAcceso al ro Si

Acceso a los manglares SiAcceso al embarcadero NoSitio(s) o actividades de inters Caones

TEJIDO SOCIALCooperativa(s) Pescadores, CamaronerasADESCO SiComit(s) Medio AmbientalGrupo Local Si


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Perfil Comunitario: La Canota


ECONOMAFuente(s) principal(es) de ingreso empleo formal e informalPromedio de ingreso anual percpita

$400

PESCAProductos marinos principales camarones, pescadoNumero de pescadores 4Numero de puncheros 3Acceso a cayucos NoEstanque camaroneros No

Mtodo(s) de pesca atarraya

AGRICULTURAFrutas principales mango, maranon, cocoCultivos maiz, frijolAnimales vaca, cerdo, ave

INFRAESTRUCTURACobertura elctrica 63%Cobertura de agua potable 63%Comercios de alimentos NoSitios de alojamiento No

Escuela No en usoCentro comunal No

ACTIVIDADES TURISTICASGuas tursticos NoRecorridos terrestres NoRecorridos acuticos NoComercio de alimentos NoAcceso a la playa NoAcceso al ro SiAcceso a los manglares Si

Acceso al embarcadero NoSitio(s) o actividades de inters Caones

TEJIDO SOCIALCooperativa(s) Pescadores, CamaronerasADESCO SiComit(s) SiGrupo Local 63%


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Perfil Comunitario: Los Lotes


ECONOMAFuente(s) principal(es) de ingreso agricultura (ganadera)Promedio de ingreso anual percpita

$500

PESCAProductos marinos principales pescadoNumero de pescadores No registradoNumero de puncheros No registradoAcceso a cayucos SiEstanque camaroneros Si

Mtodo(s) de pesca No

AGRICULTURAFrutas principalesCultivos guineoAnimales maiz


Escuela NoCentro comunal No

ACTIVIDADES TURISTICASGuas tursticos NoRecorridos terrestres NoRecorridos acuticos NoComercio de alimentos NoAcceso a la playa NoAcceso al ro SiAcceso a los manglares No

Acceso al embarcadero SiSitio(s) o actividades de inters

TEJIDO SOCIALCooperativa(s) SiADESCO SiComit(s) 78%Grupo Local 100%


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Perfil Comunitario: La Babilonia


ECONOMAFuente(s) principal(es) de ingreso agricultura (ganadera)Promedio de ingreso anual percpita

$675

PESCAProductos marinos principales pescadoNumero de pescadores 1Numero de puncheros 3Acceso a cayucos NoEstanque camaroneros No


AGRICULTURAFrutas principalesCultivos guineoAnimales maiz


Escuela No en usoCentro comunal No

ACTIVIDADES TURISTICASGuas tursticos NoRecorridos terrestres SiRecorridos acuticos NoComercio de alimentos NoAcceso a la playa NoAcceso al ro SiAcceso a los manglares No

Acceso al embarcadero SiSitio(s) o actividades de inters

TEJIDO SOCIALCooperativa(s) SiADESCO SiGrupo Local 41%


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Perfil Comunitario: Isla Montecristo


ECONOMAFuente(s) principal(es) de ingreso pesca, agriculturaPromedio de ingreso anual percpita

$750

PESCAProductos marinos principales pescado, cangrejo, camaronesNumero de pescadores 11Numero de puncheros 23Acceso a cayucos Si (4 por cada 10 familias)Estanque camaroneros Si


AGRICULTURAFrutas principalesCultivos maran, coco, jocote, mangoAnimales maiz

INFRAESTRUCTURACobertura elctrica 78%Cobertura de agua potable 9%Comercios de alimentos 2

Sitios de alojamiento

1 + experiencia con estancia

con familiasEscuela SiCentro comunal Si

ACTIVIDADES TURISTICASGuas tursticos SiRecorridos terrestres SiRecorridos acuticos SiComercio de alimentos SiAcceso a la playa SiAcceso al ro Si

Acceso a los manglares SiAcceso al embarcadero SiSitio(s) o actividades de inters Viveros de tortugas, iguanas

TEJIDO SOCIALCooperativa(s) Pescadores, CamaronerasADESCO SiComit(s) Medio AmbientalGrupo Local Si


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Appendix IV: Glossary

Community center: (el centro de interpretacin) communal building currently used forcommunity gatherings

Community tourism: a form of tourism that is envisioned and developed by thecommunities and that secures the widespread sharing of benefits throughout thecommunities

Eco Viva: works in partnership and solidarity with low-income communities in CentralAmerica with the objective of achieving environmental sustainability, economicself-sufficiency, social justice and peace; works directly with the MangroveAssociation and La Coordinadora in the Bajo Lempa as well as Team El Salvador(www.eco-viva.org)

Fund for the Americas Initiative El Salvador (FIAES): bilateral agreement between

the governments of the U.S. and El Salvador; originated in 1993 when the twogovernments agreed to forgive approximately $465 million in bilateral debt;funds from FIAES have been distributed through USAID to local communityorganizations in El Salvador to finance community led environmental, disasterresponse and development projects (elsalvador.usaid.gov)

Information center: centrally located kiosk or community building that providesvisitors with informational brochures on the region (history, culture, flora andfauna, etc), touristic routes and activities, and information on connecting to othercommunities (including a map of the tourism network); the center would alsoserve as a location to schedule tours

La Coordinadora: (La Coordainadora of the Bajo Lempa and the Bay of Jiquilisco) alocal community-based organization created by a social movement in 1996 bythe rural communities of the Bajo Lampa in order to improve theirorganizational capacity and tackle the development challenges the communitiesface (manglebajolempa.org)

Lancha-boat: Small motorized riverboat that can seat 10-15 people

Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC): an independent U.S. foreign aid agencythat aims to help lead the fight against global poverty through forming

partnerships with developing countries committed to good governance,economic freedom and support for their citizens; the U.S. Congress created theMCC in January 2004 with strong bipartisan support (www.mcc.gov)

Partnership for Growth (PFG): a joint economic development program between thegovernments of the U.S. and El Salvador with the objective of identifying keyissues or obstacles preventing El Salvador from developing; created in 2011 by aU.S. Government delegation consisting of representatives from USAID, theMillennium Challenge Corporation and the U.S. Departments of State, Treasury,Justice and Commerce; El Salvador is one of only four countries in the worldselected to partake in the program; the Bajo Lempa Region has recently been

named a cite for expected investment through the PFG(sansalvador.usembassy.gov)


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Plan Local de Extraccin Sostenible (PLES): Local Plan for Sustainable NaturalResource Extraction; established in 2011 by the Mangrove Association and theEnvironmental and Natural Resource Ministry of El Salvador in collaborationwith local stakeholders and the support of the FIAES, Eco Viva, and the

University of El Salvador; regulates the extraction of crab, fish and shrimp, andthe deforestation or use of mangroves (manglebajolempa.org)

Punche crabs: a specific species of crab found in the Bajo Lempa that is a main sourceof livelihood and nutrition for many families in the region

Rancho: a building with a hatch/straw roof that can serve as a place for people to restand take cover from the sun/rain (typically small)

Resource ranger: (los guardarecursos) contracted through the Environmental andNatural Resource Ministry of El Salvador and the Mangrove Association, theresource rangers manage the natural resources and environmental legislation of

the region

The Mangrove Association: (La Associacin Mangle) local community-basedorganization that works to improve the quality of life for the people andcommunities of La Coordinadora of the Bajo Lempa and Bay of Jiquilisco, UsultnDepartment; created in 1999 by members of La Coordinadora of the Bajo Lempa(manglebajolempa.org)

Transportation network: connecting the communities through a regional network oftrails for bicycles or horses with stations at each community to park the bike orleave the horse secured; a couple communities would also serve as the central

locations to rent bikes and schedule horse tours

Regional tourism: community tourism spread throughout the Bajo Lempa Region

TES Ecotourism 2013, Final (English)

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