Poza Honda Wildlife As A Living Laboratory Of Sustainability: Implementing Regenerative Tourism For Socio-Environmental Resilience In Manabí, Ecuador

Abstract

Ecotourism models based on traditional passive sustainability sought to reduce impact, but often failed to produce a net positive impact or any real adaptive capacity in relation to socio-environmental crises. The bottom-up approach was also applied to analyze the implementation of the "Poza Honda Wildlife, Living Laboratory of Sustainability" project in the province of Manabí (Ecuador), where a forest reserve with significant tourism potential has been established. The methodological design was a qualitative and descriptive case study, with content analysis of the articulation of governance, sustainable production, and social economy.

The project effectively combined biodiversity management with the production of new bio-trade products for the benefit of 622 people. This approach was built on Analog Forestry, which fostered both ecological rehabilitation and the socioeconomic empowerment of women and youth. It was evident that the implementation of regenerative tourism and social solidarity economy practices made an important contribution to increasing economic diversification, and more inclusive local governance also strengthened the destination's resilience to external shocks.