Social economy, commonality: theoretical guidance for rural tourism as a development alternative

Abstract

This article aims to present a theoretical model for the study of rural tourism, which helps illustrating the challenges faced by the commonalities when considering implementing touristic activities that would help to be an alternative of local development. For this, it is argued that these need to be established and administered from communal agreements, equity, respect and voluntary commitment. It is for this reason that, the methodology used was through the theory of commonality (Rendón and Díaz, 2003) and the social economy (Coraggio, 2003) because we consider them both as two pillars of local development.Thefirstoneconsistsontheterritory,where the forms of community organization are manifested through work, exercise, power and cultural events aimed achieving collective goals. Furthermore the territory, acquires a symbolic collective ownership. Work as a system of rights and obligations, based on reciprocity and participation. Party and religion as cultural elements that strengthen the community identity. Regarding the social economy, the outstanding participation of local people is taken into account for the creation of working groups to ensure the social reproduction of life. So, concluded that, through the social economy, the sense of community is embraced in the indigenous environment, from rural communitarian tourism.