Counterpart wins Geotourism Challenge 2009 “Power of Place: Sustaining the Future of Destinations”

By Maggie Farrand

Counterpart's submission "Making Guatemala a Leading Geotourism Destination" was one of seven winning proposals selected out of 327 during the Geotourism Challenge 2009. A committee of experts selected the winners based on the organization's level of innovation and institutional capacity.

The contest, sponsored by the National Geographic and Ashoka Changemakers, sought proposals that innovatively build the institutional capacity of small and medium organizations in the Latin America and Caribbean region. Counterpart's submission focused on making Guatemala a leading Geotourism destination, with businesses and organizations incorporating Geotourism principles into their philosophies and operations.

Our committment to sustainable tourism

Counterpart began its involvement in the tourism sector of Guatemala in 2006. Since then, Counterpart has worked with local partners to help facilitate the country signing a Geotourism Charter in 2007. By the end of 2009, the Geotourism MapGuide will be launched to further commit Guatemala as a Geotourism destination. In 2008 "Geoforums" were implemented nationwide. These "Geoforums" involved more than 1,500 people who nominated 1,000 local attractions that they perceived to be of great interest to domestic and international tourists. The MapGuide will be unveiled in November 2009. It will be one of the first countries in Latin America that commits itself wholly to the Geotourism principle.

Guatemala is a beautiful country with cultural treasures and many tourist attractions. The country offers attractions and activities such as swimming near the waterfalls and natural pools in the Las Conchas protected recreational area, mountain biking in Lake Atitlán in the highlands, and hikes through jungles in the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Central America's largest protected area in Petén.

Counterpart's innovative focus and Geotourism approach provides the perfect way of showcasing Guatemala as a diversely unique destination, with fascinating indigenous peoples, culture and environment.

Future plans

As a winner, Counterpart's project in Guatemala, the Guatemala Community Tourism Alliance, will receive co-financing from the Inter-American Development Bank's Multilateral Investment Fund to implement project activities.

Some of the winning ideas to be implemented by Counterpart in Guatemala include:

• Developing and launching an online interactive Geotourism MapGuide with active engagement from local residents, institutions and businesses;
• Designing a Geotourism Operations and Implementation Manual;
• Implementing a trainer of trainers program based on the Manual;
• Establishing a standard and public recognition system, as well as a monitoring system; and
• Creating partnerships between mainstream businesses and new emerging small medium enterprises (SMEs) to enhance tourist destinations and support local communities. Examples include:
  • Community managed cave tubing tours in the Candelaria Caves in Chisec, Alta Verapaz;
  • Ecologically sustainable adventure tours in the protected areas of Las Conchas and Maya Biosphere Reserve; and
  • Strengthened local handicraft businesses through assessment of modern market trends and promotion of these products in tourism chain under strict quality control.

A new phase for Counterpart's programming

With this win, Counterpart embarks on a groundbreaking effort to implement Geotourism at a national level. Counterpart will focus on expanding the implementation of Geotourism practices to all regions of the country and all types of businesses and tourism service providers. It is only fitting that Geotourism is taken to the next level in Guatemala, providing everyone the opportunity to become more 'Geotouristic' and positioning the country as a leading Geotourism destination globally.

For more information, please visit the Geotourism website.

October 21st, 2009 | Tags: geotourism, Guatemala, income generation, sustainable tourism | Category: Impact Stories

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