Understanding youths’ contributions and perspectives in ecotourism. A pathway to achieve development? A qualitative case study of the indigenous community San José de Uchupiamonas, Bolivian Amazon, exploring youths’ contributions and perceptions of ecotourism’s impact on learning and culture.
(2025) SIMZ31 20251Graduate School
- Abstract
- This thesis explores the dynamics of youths’ contributions in the ecotourism sector in the indigenous village San José de Uchupiamonas, located in the Bolivian Amazon. It examines the contributions that the youths of the community make to ecotourism. It also explores what knowledge they have gained from the sector, as well as how they perceive ecotourism to have influenced their culture. Through a qualitative methodology using fieldwork, semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis, the study reveals a complex, yet crucial role in what contributions they make, what the sector has taught them, and how it impacts their culture. Six interviews were conducted with individuals involved in the ecotourism sector of SJU.
The findings... (More) - This thesis explores the dynamics of youths’ contributions in the ecotourism sector in the indigenous village San José de Uchupiamonas, located in the Bolivian Amazon. It examines the contributions that the youths of the community make to ecotourism. It also explores what knowledge they have gained from the sector, as well as how they perceive ecotourism to have influenced their culture. Through a qualitative methodology using fieldwork, semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis, the study reveals a complex, yet crucial role in what contributions they make, what the sector has taught them, and how it impacts their culture. Six interviews were conducted with individuals involved in the ecotourism sector of SJU.
The findings highlight that the participants perceive themselves as having crucial roles in the sector and have an interest in contributing to the sector. However, the findings show that there are also community youths who are not involved in the sector, creating a sense of division in the community. The participants have learned various skills, such as English. This learning process has motivated them to pursue further studies in other cities, contributing to their community. The study further suggests that by demonstrating their culture to outsiders, they strengthen their cultural identity. However, foreign cultural elements such as tourists’ clothing are being introduced into the community.
This thesis contributes to the broader discourse in development studies and sociology on indigenous culture, youth participation, and ecotourism by providing valuable insights into the experiences of youth in the complex and multifaceted ecotourism sector. (Less) - Popular Abstract
- In the Bolivian Amazon lies the indigenous village of San José de Uchupiamonas. In this village, ecotourism has been a central feature for decades. This thesis explores perspectives relating to youths’ contributions in the ecotourism sector in the village. It also explores the knowledge they have gained from the industry and how they perceive it to have influenced their culture. Via field study and interviews, the results suggest that the youths have a crucial role in the sector, but that there is a group in the village who are not involved in the sector; therefore, creating a sense of division. The ones involved in ecotourism have learned various skills, such as English. While ecotourism has allowed them to express their culture, the... (More)
- In the Bolivian Amazon lies the indigenous village of San José de Uchupiamonas. In this village, ecotourism has been a central feature for decades. This thesis explores perspectives relating to youths’ contributions in the ecotourism sector in the village. It also explores the knowledge they have gained from the industry and how they perceive it to have influenced their culture. Via field study and interviews, the results suggest that the youths have a crucial role in the sector, but that there is a group in the village who are not involved in the sector; therefore, creating a sense of division. The ones involved in ecotourism have learned various skills, such as English. While ecotourism has allowed them to express their culture, the sector has also introduced cultural elements from the outside world (such as backpacks and clothing). The study is an element of the broader discourse in development studies and sociology by focusing on indigenous culture and ecotourism. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
http://lup.lub.lu.se/student-papers/record/9209492
- author
- Malmquist, Ludvig LU
- supervisor
- organization
- course
- SIMZ31 20251
- year
- 2025
- type
- H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
- subject
- keywords
- Ecotourism, youth participation, indigenous culture, sustainable development, community development
- language
- English
- id
- 9209492
- date added to LUP
- 2025-08-19 10:18:18
- date last changed
- 2025-08-19 10:18:18
@misc{9209492,
abstract = {{This thesis explores the dynamics of youths’ contributions in the ecotourism sector in the indigenous village San José de Uchupiamonas, located in the Bolivian Amazon. It examines the contributions that the youths of the community make to ecotourism. It also explores what knowledge they have gained from the sector, as well as how they perceive ecotourism to have influenced their culture. Through a qualitative methodology using fieldwork, semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis, the study reveals a complex, yet crucial role in what contributions they make, what the sector has taught them, and how it impacts their culture. Six interviews were conducted with individuals involved in the ecotourism sector of SJU.
The findings highlight that the participants perceive themselves as having crucial roles in the sector and have an interest in contributing to the sector. However, the findings show that there are also community youths who are not involved in the sector, creating a sense of division in the community. The participants have learned various skills, such as English. This learning process has motivated them to pursue further studies in other cities, contributing to their community. The study further suggests that by demonstrating their culture to outsiders, they strengthen their cultural identity. However, foreign cultural elements such as tourists’ clothing are being introduced into the community.
This thesis contributes to the broader discourse in development studies and sociology on indigenous culture, youth participation, and ecotourism by providing valuable insights into the experiences of youth in the complex and multifaceted ecotourism sector.}},
author = {{Malmquist, Ludvig}},
language = {{eng}},
note = {{Student Paper}},
title = {{Understanding youths’ contributions and perspectives in ecotourism. A pathway to achieve development? A qualitative case study of the indigenous community San José de Uchupiamonas, Bolivian Amazon, exploring youths’ contributions and perceptions of ecotourism’s impact on learning and culture.}},
year = {{2025}},
}