Diseño de un plan de desarrollo turístico para la parroquia La Candelaria, cantón Penipe, provincia de Chimborazo

Abstract

The present investigation poses to elaborate a sustainable tourism development plan for La Candelaria sector located at Penipe Canton, Chimborazo Province. The situation diagnosis was done with the verified information in relation to the productive- economic, territorial- ecological, spatial- physical, social- cultural and administrative- political realms to evaluate the tourist area potential. Two natural attractions of category III, three natural attractions of category II and 5 cultural attractions were identified through the tourist destination inventory. The market study determined the tourist profile and the possible tourism ways to develop. From the strategic planning, the cause, problem, effect, solution (CPES) matrix, the strength, weakness, opportunity and threat (SWOT) matrix, the critical problem priorization, the key success factors, the mission, vision, value, strategic objective and policy planning were determined. The plan can be done properly by complying with the elements mentioned before. Of the 4- years logical framework, 4 programs and 8 projects were determined investing 650.000 USD to be implemented. The sector has important natural and cultural resources, which are linked to El altar volcano and its surroundings, La Candelaria might be a major tourist destination in the province and in Ecuador if its basic structure and tourist facilities are strengthened to take advantage of its heritage. Key words: tourist development, tourist potential, natural attractions, cultural attractions.