Agro-tourism in the Amazon Forest

Monday, June 22, 2009

“Tusoco”, the network for rural tourism in Bolivia, attempts to draw tourists into the countryside in an effort to present them a more complete picture of the country. And by the means of agro-tourism, the holiday-maker’s money directly goes to the pockets of those in charge of the agro-tourism projects, that is to say, the farmers. One of the many rural residents involved in such a project is Francisco Caymanes. Francisco adheres to the indigenous Mosetene culture, found in the Bolivian Amazon Forest. He is a 48 year-old widower. For three years he has been working as a guide, showing around the visitors of the Mapajo lodge. This lodge, part of Tusoco’s rural tourism network, is located a 15-minute walk away from his community Asunción, settled along the Quiquibey river.

From the jungle town of Rurrenbaque, in the department of Beni, tourists sail to Mapajo, where they stay in traditional huts, hike in nature, visit Asunción and neighbouring Indian communities, and are served three complete meals a day. Francisco takes turns to perform as guide. His elder brother is manager of the tourism project, while his younger brother is director of the regional board of the “Reserva de la Biósfera y Territorio Indígena Pilon Lagas”, that Asunción forms part of. His youngest brother works for Mapajo as well. Overall, thirty to fourty persons are engaged in their tourism activities, taking up roles as diverse as sailor, guide, cook, musician and artisan. Apart from Asunción, five other Indian communities participate in the project.

“Thanks to the income derived from tourism and aid from foreign organisations, our living conditions are much better than they were five years ago. Ever since the construction of the Mapajo lodge, all participating communities dispose of safe drinking water. Asunción acquired a small medical station, employing two health workers that visit the villages. Due to better hygiene, child mortality decreased and our community grows. We are also building a new school that will offer our youngsters better educational opportunities, in the hopes of keeping them here instead of migrate”, comments Francisco.

In addition, the residents of Asunción now dispose of a motorboat to transport tourist, as well as themselves and their merchandises. Up to five years ago, the Indian community merely possessed a canoe with paddles. By then, traveling to Rurrenabaque took several days, while it now only takes a few hours. Francisco is especially pleased to have his own chaco: each family in Asunción owns a plot to grow tubers, vegetables, fruits, and grains. This has enabled them to self-support and to have a much more varied diets. “Life over here is tough. We are always at work, on the fields, for the community, or in the home. But still I am very thankful to be able to lead an independent life like this.”