Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.22598/at/2025.37.2.147

TOURISM AND COFFEE: EXPERIENCES FROM CHIAPAS, MEXICO

Gloria Mariel SUÁREZ GUTIÉRREZ orcid.org/0000-0002-3743-7543 ; El Colegio de Sonora, Centro de Estudios del Desarrollo, Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico
Erin IJ ESTRADA LUGO orcid.org/0000-0001-6544-2270 ; Unidad San Cristóbal de las Casas, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, San Cristóbal de las Casas, Mexico

Abstract

This study explores coffee tourism as a livelihood strategy in Chiapas, Mexico contrasting indigenous communities with private haciendas. Employing a sustainable livelihood framework, this research utilizes a qualitative case study approach based on fieldwork in two indigenous communities and two privately-owned haciendas. Our findings indicate that while rural tourism presents viable economic opportunities to communities and haciendas, it also entails complex trade-offs. Haciendas, prioritize economic gains, often perpetuating labor exploitation and spatial commodification. In contrast, communities adopt tourism as a complementary activity to traditional agriculture but face challenges in equitable distribution of economic and social benefit, further exacerbating existing resource conflicts. The study highlights the influence of historical land tenure systems in shaping tourism’s impacts, and advocates for localized policies responses to address power asymmetries. We conclude that suitable and context-specific public policies are needed to improve the sustainable livelihoods of individual engaged in ecotourism, while balancing tourism commercialization with the imperative cultural and environmental preservation.

Keywords

communities; indigenous; development; alternative; economy

Hrčak ID:

343135

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/343135

Publication date:

31.12.2025.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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