Apertura socio-cultural hacia el turismo en el Centro San Salvador de la Nacionalidad Chachi-Ecuador

The objective of this research is to establish the physical, natural, social and cultural potential of the San Salvador Center of the Chachi Nationality towards tourism as a sustainable economic alternative. Currently, the inhabitants and their leader, the governor, want to spread their natural and cultural potential to the general public, which counteracts what was observed in the past model, characterized by little contact with other communities, ethnic groups, or social groups. The methodology is located in the positivist paradigm, quantitative approach, with an exploratory scope, of a documentary type, together with the field design. The techniques used were: documentary analysis, observation, written survey and semi-structured interview, through the questionnaire. In the results, the natural attractiveness of the river, waterfall and humid forest subtype was identified, while in the cultural ones, religious festivals, traditions and popular beliefs, crafts, arts, music and dance; which merge with hunting, fishing, collecting fruits, roots and leaves. It is concluded that there is the commercialization of artisanal products and forestry, with tourist activities such as: guided / self-guided tours, live presentations, experiential and / or recreational activities, participation in artistic workshops, tasting of traditional dishes, purchase of handicrafts, ancestral medicine, which corresponds to attractiveness to generate products.