USUMACINTA CANYON STATE PARK: SOCIAL TOURISM ALTERNATIVE

Alternative tourism represents an important source of income in Mexico. There are many potential sites remaining to be developed in the southeast of the country. Included in this group is the state park Cañón del Río Usumacinta, Boca del Cerro. This park is located in the municipality of Tenosique and is surrounded by indigenous populations of the Tzotzil, Chol, Maya and Zoqueg. The objective of this study is to carry out an integral diagnosis of socioeconomic and demographic conditions, and of nature in the region, to identify sites and strategies for tourism development in the area of the Cañón del Usumacinta state park. The study is non experimental as none of the variables described in the project were controlled or modified. Rather the study is trans-sectional as the data were recorded at a single moment in time. The objective is to characterize the phenomenon to provide alternatives or solution proposals (Hernández, Fernández, Baptista, 2006). The paper reports results of 129 interviews carried out with residents of areas adjacent to the Cañón del Usumacinta state park. The paper also identifies the ecotourism potential of the area. The findings of the study constitute a series of marketing ideas, useful in decision making with respect to the tourism development of the region.