Design of a Rural Tourism Route For Local Development In The Ecuadorian Province of Cotopaxi

The present study addresses the importance of rural tourism as a strategy for local development, focusing on the Ecuadorian province of Cotopaxi, where the aim is to harness natural and cultural resources to boost the rural economy. The authors aimed to design a rural tourism route for local development in the Ecuadorian province of Cotopaxi, leveraging local conditions and resources to promote a sustainable and equitable development model. A mixed-methods approach was employed, with structured surveys applied to 267 visitors and interviews with tourism experts, in addition to a document analysis to contextualize the current state of tourism in the region. The results highlighted that 80% of the identified tourist resources are located in rural areas, offering a diverse range of natural and cultural attractions. The majority of visitors were young professionals who valued safety, tranquility, and experiential activities such as gastronomy and artisan workshops. The proposed route, named "Hacienda Houses, in the Land of the Volcano," unifies dispersed tourist resources in an 85 km itinerary that includes historic haciendas and experiential activities. It is concluded that the route is viable and sustainable, thanks to the existing tourism infrastructure and the active participation of public, private, and community actors. This route contributes to diversifying Cotopaxi's tourism offerings, promoting sustainable tourism, and improving the quality of life in rural communities