A SYSTEMIC PERSPECTIVE ON SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT FOR TOURISM VENTURES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES IN MEXICO

Abstract

Sustainable water management and social entrepreneurship are fundamental pillars to promote sustainable development in rural communities, especially in the context of tourism. The availability of quality water in adequate quantity is essential both to meet the daily needs of local inhabitants and to maintain the integrity of ecosystems. This involves promoting conservation, awareness and reuse practices of this water resource. Likewise, it is important to consider aspects of equity and community participation in sustainable water management, involving community members in the planning and execution of water-related initiatives. Collaboration between the tourism sector, local authorities, community organizations and other relevant actors is essential to guarantee sustainable water management and promote tourism development in an equitable and environmentally responsible manner. This research uses the Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to achieve a synthesis of the current situation of complexity between sustainable water management, social entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism in rural communities. The findings reveal challenges in the relationships between government entities, businesses, rural tourist communities and sustainability. The lack of effective policies to support social enterprises limits their ability to contribute to sustainable development. In this way, social entrepreneurship plays a crucial role in sustainable development by promoting autonomy and empowerment in various spheres, including business and society at large. The interaction between social entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism can generate positive impacts on social and environmental aspects, improving the quality of life of local communities. Adopting a systemic approach provides a deeper understanding of this complex relationship, and approaching entrepreneurship from this perspective can drive economic, social and environmental development in communities, maintaining homeostatic balance between economic growth, social well-being and environmental preservation.

Keywords

SSM, Water Management, sustainability, tourism, social entrepreneurship, rural communities.