1192 | 765 | “The GIS for eco-tourism development of Palenque, Chiapas (Mexico). Application proposals within the “XIMBAL PUSIKAL” project”. | Andrea Imperiale (first author) Bachelor degree in Geographical Sciences for Environment and Health at the University of Rome “La Sapienza, GIS specialist; Martino Haver Longo (second author) Phd student in Social Geography at University of Turin/University of Florence)
The ‘Programa de desarrollo eco-turistico de Palenque, Chiapas (Mexico) 2019-2025’ was born in September 2019 from the initiative of a multidisciplinary group of young students and volunteers from the Corazón Palencano association, in collaboration with the local population of the city of Palenque (in the state of Chiapas, in southern Mexico) and a number of professional and university figures._x000D_
This programme is part of the numerous local and national proposals in the field of territorial, urban and tourism development that the Mexican government has been promoting in recent years (such as the construction of the ‘Tren Maya’ railway or the ‘Pueblos Magicos’ programme)._x000D_
The proposals included in Corazón Palencano’s programme were aimed at increasing the valorisation of the territory by listening to the local communities, in order to safeguard the natural and cultural heritage and providing the possibility of generating employment for local communities through tourism. _x000D_
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XIMBAL PUSIKAL (Sendero del corazón) is one of the projects included in the programme. It is based on the creation of a hiking and cycling trail network connecting the territory’s most interesting geotouristic points (natural, archaeological and cultural attractions) built with the participation of the local population (Buscino, 2011)._x000D_
The project involved various terrain analysis, GPS surveys and participatory mapping through remote collaboration with the local volunteer group in the period between March and June 2020. _x000D_
These activities led to the final definition of the trail network that was presented to the Chiapas’s government, Palenque municipality officials, funding bodies and local tourism and nature operators._x000D_
Andrea Imperiale (first author) Bachelor degree in Geographical Sciences for Environment and Health at the University of Rome “La Sapienza, GIS specialist; Martino Haver Longo (second author) Phd student in Social Geography at University of Turin/University of Florence)
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
ID Abstract: 765