Íntag Ecotourism Network: a solidarity economy organization and management experience

Abstract

This article systematizes the work developed by solidarity economy networks. The main objective is to analyze the operating processes of Entagistics Network of Íntag, its political, socio-economic and cultural relations. It is a qualitative research, ethnographic method, where it was sought to demonstrate the operation, management, organization of the analyzed network and its contribution to territorial development. The main findings indicate that the Network is due to community work focused on ecological tourism in the sector, but it is reinforced by other economic activities, such as food and lodging, and that, in some cases, these have been developed under the gender approach, which supports the socio-economic development of the participating women. However, open pit mining and large-scale hydroelectric projects in the area of influence have been constituted as a real threat to the Network growth since these activities have consequences on tourism and complementary activities.