Federacion Plurinacional de Turismo Comunitario del Ecuador (FEPTCE, Multinational Federation of Community Tourism in Ecuador) brings together indigenous communities across Ecuador that offer tourism, guiding and lodging services. The initiative has especially targeted the country's indigenous, Afro-Ecuadorian, peasant, and montubio (mestizo) communities, who are traditional stewards of Ecuador's cultural and natural heritage, but who typically suffer from economic marginalization, high infant mortality rates, illiteracy, and out-migration from rural communities, among many other socioeconomic challenges.

With its roots in the late-1980s, the federation currently brings together 106 community-based initiatives (giving 33,689 direct beneficiaries, as estimated in 2009.) The reintroduction of traditional land management practices for improved agriculture has supplemented support for ecotourism initiatives.

 

Key Facts 

Equator Prize Winner: 2006

Founded: 2002

Location: Throughout Ecuador

Beneficiaries: 106 member communities

Biodiversity: reforestation of 2,000 hectares

 

Case Study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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