There has been funding to develop projects in and around protected areas, in the name of sustainable development. One example is the planning and implementation of ecotourism projects throughout the country. After several years of working in ecotourism development and sharing ideas and concerns with students at the University Del Valle de Guatemala, I realized that we were facing several conflicts that limited our goals of helping communities and the environment. First, we were promoting an activity without being aware of the extent of the impacts because of our little knowledge about the theme. Additionally, expectations of people in rural communities were rising, without really knowing what the tendency of the ecotourism industry was and if the market was large enough for everything they were trying to develop. I can say now that I have been haunted by questions like, what would happen to communities around protected areas if ecotourism does not work? What will the sociocultural impacts of ecotourism be in the communities? What will be the environmental impacts of ecotourism if the activity is not successful in bringing about development in communities?.
Currently, my country is trying to build capacity in education, so that we can have more professionals capable of creating projects that meet international standards, while addressing issues important on local agendas. To promote development that enhances empowerment and equality, it is essential to have an insider's perspective so that the respect of cultural patterns can be easily achieved, and that the local context is understood in order to build trust among stakeholders.
As a Guatemalan, I am enthusiastic to learn more to help my country. I am positive that I can help promote sustainable development through a better understanding of ecotourism. First, through experiencing life in the United States I have a better understanding of our target market cultures (US tourists).
