Diseño de un producto turístico para la conservación del patrimonio cultural de la comunidad Taruka cantón Cascales, provincia de Sucumbíos

Abstract

This work aims to design a tourism product for the cultural heritage conservation of the Taruka community, El Dorado de Cascales parish, Cascales cantón, Sucumbíos province. A diagnosis of the tourism community potential was carried out. Besides, a market study was done taking the number of tourists visiting Cuyabeno Fauna Production Reserve as universe that consisted of 10 447 national and foreign tourists in 2014 due to it is frequently visited. It was determined that the tourism product is a Cultural Interpretation Center giving workshops with the community. This center will have the capacity for visitation of 20 people. As for marketing, a webpage and a corporate image with the name Arútam were designed. It will be divided in eight areas to spread the community lifestyle and there will be a marketing area of handicrafts made by the dwellers. In the environmental impact study, the results were positive, that is, the implementation of Arútam Cultural Center improves the living condition of the community. The cultural center organization was structured. The project was based on Ecuadorian law related to the tourism sector. In the economic study, the results were as follows: internal rate of return (IRR) of 29%, a positive net present value (NPV) of $ 92 407.70 and the cost relation of $ 1.53, that is, $ 0.53 will return per each dollar invested. The payback period is 3 years and 2 months. It is concluded that the project is feasible generating social, economic and cultural benefits. Key words: TOURISM PRODUCT – CULTURAL INTERPRETATION CENTER – TOURISM DESTINATION – CULTURAL HERITAGE – TOURISM POTENTIAL.