Superando la adversidad: resiliencia del turismo en la ruralidad durante la COVID-19? Comunidades en el sur de Ecuador como marco de estudio

This article presents a qualitative study of changes in tourism dynamics based on the interaction of the public sector, private sector, and host communities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Four rural communities located in the Cajas Massif Biosphere Area (ABMC) in southern Ecuador were selected as case studies to determine whether resilience was employed as a mechanism to confront the crisis. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with community residents, authorities, and private business stakeholders within the study area. The findings suggest that the symbolic values of communities surfaced during the crisis. However, the private sector remained intent to stay afloat, while the public sector intensified actions initiated before the pandemic. In conclusion, COVID-19 has highlighted fragmented responses to tourism. Therefore, community resilience, which focuses on local resources and capacities, adapts by using its assets, and the resilience of the tourism sector aspires to return to normalcy.