SYSTEMATIZATION OF THE METHODOLOGICAL EXPERIENCE FOR DESIGNING TOURISM PRODUCTS FROM LOCAL MICROENTREPRENEURSHIP INITIATIVES IN THE COUNTY OF DOTA, COSTA RICA

Abstract

This document shares the historical-chronological reconstruction of the events of the experience from the project "Experience tourism and biocultural heritage in Los Santos: community organization for innovation and chaining of the offer of tourist goods and services" of the National University of Costa Rica (UNA). The objective of this document is to share the experience and methodology used in this initiative whose objective was to support the development of a rural tourism proposal for the county of Dota following the innovative concept of experiential or lively tourism. The methodological experience used in this project was based on the constructivist approach implemented through the participatory research-action practice of the Program for Territorial Tourism Studies (PETT). The approach was modified for this case according to the conditions and characteristics of the county of Dota, thus establishing three phases of the project (diagnosis of the tourist system, design of the tourist product, and complementary products) with their respective moments. Within the results of the project, it was possible to identify and create typologies of tourism entrepreneurships with high participation of the social actors from the communities. In addition, it was possible to identify possibilities for chaining activities, as well as the design of information material on appropriate tourism sustainability practices and a prototype for a website.