Contributions of peasant women to rural tourism: gender and political ecology in Salado Barra, Honduras

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of countyside women in rural tourism in Salado Barra, Honduras, with the aim of highlighting their economic, cultural, and social contributions, as well as the gender challenges they face. Using a qualitative approach and a case study design, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six community leaders who develop tourism ventures. The results reveal that these women contribute significantly to the local economy through activities such as food, lodging, and crafts, while also transmitting traditional knowledge and managing sociocultural care roles. Nevertheless, their participation is limited by structural barriers, gender stereotypes, and institutional exclusion. From a political ecology perspective, the study interprets rural tourism as a space of symbolic dispute where the relationships between economy, culture, and nature are reconfigured. It concludes that strengthening women's participation requires promoting inclusive policies that recognize their autonomy, capacities, and knowledge, guaranteeing their access to resources and decision-making for sustainable and equitable rural tourism.