Of Guinea Pigs and Tourists: Sustainable Development, Sustainable Tourism, and “Local Food” in Cusco, Peru

Sustainable tourism can effectively address economic disparities and promote cultural and ecological sustainability without creating dependency, as demonstrated by a grassroots model in Cusco, Peru. The study highlights Sierra Productiva's cuy (guinea pig) farming operations, which foster mutually beneficial relationships between indigenous communities and the tourism sector. By building capacity at individual and community levels, this approach offers a framework for equitable sustainable development that can be replicated in other tourist destinations.

Westmont, V. C. (2020). Of Guinea Pigs and Tourists: Sustainable Development, Sustainable Tourism, and “Local Food” in Cusco, Peru. Tourism Planning & Development, 18(1), 45–67. https://doi.org/10.1080/21568316.2020.1753107