Territorial multifunctionality and tourism. Sociocultural, economic and environmental implications in emerging rural destinations. A case study in Comala, Colima

• Main Authors: Rafael Covarrubias Ramírez, Juan Jorge Rodríguez Bautista
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto Universitario de Investigaciones Turísticas 2018-06-01
• Series: Investigaciones Turísticas
• Subjects: multifuncionalidad; territorio rural; turismo; implicaciones territoriales
• Online Access: https://investigacionesturisticas.ua.es/article/view/2018-n15-multifuncionalidad-territorial-y-turismo-implicaciones-socioculturales-economicas-y-ambientales

The concept of rural multifunctionality was first used towards the end of the twentieth century, as a result of the ongoing transformations in the rural areas, which had been generating new economic, socio-cultural and environmental functions, going beyond the traditional functions of the territory. A number of authors highlight tourism as one of these recent functions. This paper articulates multifunctionality with tourism and the territorial implications that can occur in the communities where tourism is being introduced are analyzed. This article discusses the case of the municipality of Comala, in the Mexican state of Colima, identified nationally and internationally as the place where the story of “Pedro Páramo”, literary work of the writer Juan Rulfo, takes place and as one of the Magical Towns of Mexico. The research methodology is based on the documentary analysis of scientific publications that address the relationship of multifunctionality with tourism as well as technical and statistical reports. The empirical work has been carried out through participant observation with several walks in the study area. The most relevant findings show important socio-economic and environmental transformations, such as the change in land use, changes in traditional productive activities and changes in the system of land tenure –from ejidal to private property–. It also identifies cases of economic improvement and empowerment of women of indigenous origin, through the creation and consolidation of tourism businesses.