The Andragogy, a touristic training strategy for the sustainable development of the Chocó Andino of Pichincha

Abstract

The training for people who develop their productive activities in ecosystems considered as vulnerable, has as a fundamental axis the conservation of the biological and cultural richness; this process shows as problematic the lack of specific methodologies that adapt to the socioeconomic and environmental realities of these zones. This investigation had as principal aim to create a training’s methodology for small touristic entrepreneurs of the Choco Andino Region of Pichincha, through the analysis of the association’s members and the entrepreneurship’s characteristics, to improve the quality of the touristic services. To reach these goals, a qualitative, descriptive and exploratory research was performed, the most reliable form of research was the case study with tools such as: bibliographic review, and an ethnographic approach with semi-structured interviews and focus groups discussions. The study allows to determine: actors and needs of training, concluding that the andragogic model is the best training tool, because it promotes contexts based on frank dialogue and wide participation. The Andragogic Methodology achieved a consensus level among all participants, it is based on the labor competences model and it constitutes a training tool for small touristic entrepreneurs that can be adapted to areas with similar geographical and socioeconomic characteristics.