INCAmmino

Notwithstanding encouraging macroeconomic data, Bolivia is still ranked 118 (out of 188) in the HDI 2016. In order to fill this gap and promote a growth associated to human development, tourism represents a strategic industry, thanks to the varied natural and cultural heritage of the country. Tourism’s share in the GDP is very small (2%) and, though the industry is actually expanding, the economic spillovers for Bolivian people are limited while environmental threats are rapidly growing.
In order to address negative externalities  of tourism activities, this action intends to promote an integrated development in vulnerable communities living in the influence area  of a cultural route that represents a priority for the government , the Ruta Qhapaq Nan (QN) (“Inca Route”).
By strengthening the ETCs (Emprendimientos Turisticos Comunitarios) existing in the area, the project includes several innovative elements, such as:

• A participatory, multi-stakeholder methodology, with a bottom-up approach, notably in i) the criteria for selecting the sites, cultural expressions and non-material heritage (practices, performances, knowledge and know-how, tools, artifacts and cultural spaces) to be included on a digital platform for promoting the area; ii) implementing a participatory inventory and catalogue  of the material and non-material heritage existing in the target area  and establishing a database useful to design actions for the protection/valorisation and planned conservation of such heritage;
• The adaptation and application of ICT tools – innovative for the target context – with two objectives: i) promotion and ii) continuous training for young people, with the development of an online and offline digital ecosystem for an integrated management of knowledge;
• Valorising the natural resources of the area, by promoting greening practices for tourist services and facilities (waste separation and waste water treatment ) and the establishment of Syntropic Agroforestry Systems (SAFs) for the recovery of depleted soils where crops, forages, wood and medicinal plants will be consortiated  to regenerate productive ecosystems.

The project intends to contribute to the sustainable economic development of 11 communities in the influence area of the Inca Route (Qhapaq Nan) by promoting a development pattern based on the conservation and valorisation of cultural (material and non-material) and natural heritage, by actively involving the public administrations and applying innovative technology to community-based tourism.