Tourist focus of handmade souvenirs: two markets case of Acapulco

Abstract

The main objective was to synthesize the importance of handicrafts among tourists who visited the markets "El Pueblito" and "La Diana" in Acapulco, Guerrero, Mexico. The methodology used was cabinet work between September 2018 and March 2019 in order to compile the existing documentary information on the study categories: souvenirs, crafts and tourism. A questionnaire made up of 26 items was also prepared, of which the responses of the most relevant that contribute to the achievement of the general objective are presented here. Among the results, it was found that the products that are most in demand among tourists are those derived from coconut, namely: coconut sweets, decorative items based on the said vegetable product of natural origin, among others. The most relevant conclusion was that from the economic point of view, handicrafts represent an important source of income for the members of the native groups that make handicrafts on a small scale with affordable costs. This research contributes to the recent international bibliography on artisan souvenirs that are elaborated with love, enthusiasm and identity, by people from the population groups originating from the various parts of the world.

Geographical synthesis of the landscape in Vista Hermosa, Acapulco

“…In this order of ideas, it is necessary to consider other energy options such as, for example, the use of agricultural residues such as dry grass, straw, animal excrement and dry sticks as options to substitute firewood as a local fuel. To this end, it is necessary to remember that the conservation of the Selva Baja Caducifolia translates into eight benefits: a) it provides wood for the production of local crafts that are offered to tourists (Rojas et al, 2020); b) it restores soil fertility; c) it stops desertification; d) it prevents water erosion; e) it reduces flooding; f) it is a thermal regulator; g) it is useful for promoting regional environmental education and h) it increases economic benefits through tourism (Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas, 2018). Therefore, recommendations include: i) to organise the management of existing natural resources; ii) to develop a local land use plan; iii) to carry out an inventory of natural resources as has been done in other places such as Oaxaca (Velázquez-Sánchez et al, 2018); iv) link the resident population with academics from various local public and private institutions; and v) envision a tourism development in Vista Hermosa, Acapulco, since nature tourism constitutes an invaluable opportunity for economic diversification and dynamisation (Cuétara, Sablón, Márquez and Cartay, 2022).…”