Por qué estoy de visita en este lugar? Imaginarios del turismo en Cuenca, Ecuador

Abstract

In this academic work I examine from an anthropological point of view, some ideas to understand tourism as a social phenomenon, ideas that influence the construction of Cuenca as a tourism destination. First by conducting an initial contextualization that discusses about authenticity, heritage, the imaginary of the inhabitants in the construction of their idea of city, analyzing the conception of a tourist destination through the motivations, interests, and conflicts of its inhabitants. actors and the role of the public sector in this construction. Next, the tourist fact is studied through two different ways of seeing it, the first expressed in the criteria and imaginaries of the tourists who visit the city and the second according to the vision of the businessmen who receive and manage them. People who wish to visit Cuenca participate in the construction of an imaginary city that, at the time of experiencing the tourist visit, is affirmed, or rejected according to their experiences. On their side, the business owners, the authorities, and the local community participate - in greater or lesser extent - of this same city imaginary construction, often transforming the city into a commodity to be sold to tourists. The results are expressed in bringing to light those imaginaries, from whose analysis, reflection and debate, important inputs can be obtained on the strategic vision of local tourism that supports the development and management tourism in Cuenca.