Expert Recommendations

Cultural Sustainability

The initiative “Integration of Rural and Indigenous Communities into Sustainable Tourism Development” has been active during the period 2023–2027 in the state of Baja California, reaching 24 selected localities across various municipalities, with a social, environmental, and economic approach.

This initiative incorporates rural and indigenous communities in Baja California into the state’s tourism development by strengthening capacities, promoting productive projects, and fostering community-based, gastronomic, and nature tourism, with a focus on sustainability, equity, and inclusion. It is implemented through:

I. Productive and Sustainable Inclusion Support Program, which allocates resources for basic equipment, tourism modules, road signage, and trail marking under the State System of Standardized Trails of Baja California (SESO BC).

II. “Traveling Hearts” Program, which promotes the inclusion of residents from rural areas in tourism experiences within the state, prioritizing vulnerable groups.

III. Training of community guides, rural hosts, and cultural promoters, ensuring service quality and minimal environmental impact.

Main impacts and results of this initiative during the period:

    • Through the Productive Inclusion Program, support was provided to 33 projects in 5 rural and indigenous communities.

    • These communities welcomed 1,600 beneficiaries from the “Traveling Hearts” Program.

    • Technical assistance was provided to more than 30 tourism establishments to obtain the Distintivo H and Distintivo M certifications.

    • Support was provided in the certification process of 40 tour guides under NOM-08 and NOM-09 standards.

    • Assistance and coordination for the participation of traditional cooks in 4 regional and national events.

    • Creation of a state registry of communities with tourism potential.