Amazon Interactive
The Ecotourism Game
Stay with the community
The next community meeting extends late into the night asAgustín opens the debate over ecotourism. Many oppose any additionalecotourism development, preferring life the way it used to be. Agustínand others argue that tourism is a way for Pangayacu to adapt to the modernworld without losing its Quichua spirit.
Near midnight, your brother Eduardo suggests a compromise:allow one tourist group per month. The income from twelve groups per yearamounts to about one-eighth of a family's annual agricultural income. Agustínisn't sure whether to accept this compromise or continue with plans to splitoff. He asks you for advice.
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| Most Quichua have cleared several hectares primary forest to plant coffeeand rice for the market. Less than 10% of community land remains forested. | Income from tourism declines. The Quichua focus on agriculture, but it isdifficult to make money, and incomes drop. |
What do you think?
