Developing Agrotourism Opportunities In Guatemala

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In December, Mark Willuhn traveled to western Guatemala to work with smallholder farmers who have been searching for ways to diversify their income sources and expand into the agrotourism industry. Mark worked with an organization called FECCEG which is a federation formed by 35 organic coffee farmers. He first surveyed the farms to assess the potential for agrotourism market and then began working with FECCEG staff to develop an agrotourism implementation plan.

Mark also developed a Visitor Management and Tourism Development Plan with FECCEG staff to begin construction and marketing strategies immediately. He believes that social media will be vital to spark the interest of local and world markets to the beauty and potential of the region as a place to visit. 
 
[Left] Fresh bags of coffee being stored before shipment [Right] Five visitor cabanas were constructed in El Vergel

An FECCEG federation advertisement. Translation: "Together we can go further"


Mark has extensive knowledge in sustainable tourism as he currently serves as the Executive Director at Alianza Mesoamericana de Ecotourismo which is a company that links visitors that are eager to help conserve protected areas within countries in Mesoamerica. Since Mark avidly travels to Mesoamerica, he is excited by the opportunity to check in on FECCEG and see how the farms are reaching their goals. Looking forward, Mark is optimistic that the region will generate income for the local communities through the growth of this sustainable agrotourism market.

View on El Sendero Catarata (The Waterfall Trail) where Mark saw great potential for agrotourism to be developed


 Credit for all photos goes to Mark Willuhn. If you are interested in ecotourism in Mesoamerica here is a link to Mark's website: https://exploremesoamerica.com/ 




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