Exploring the relationship between tourism and development in Mexico's premier resort
Supervisors
Dr Miguel Kanai & Professor David Robinson
Funding
CONACYT Scholarship
Current research
The aim of my PhD project is to learn the effects that associativity among small-scale tourism service providers has on the development outcomes of the communities where these operate. The geographic context of this project is the Yucatan Peninsula, the most touristic region in Mexico, and in Latin America, where tourism generates an extraordinary economic pledge, but also unequal development.
This research is based on the experience of indigenous and rural communities that have organised community-based tourism projects and tourism networks to reduce inequality and poverty and draws attention to the potential benefits of empowering local people in the decision-making processes that inform the industry’s growth.
Wider research interests
- Economic Geography
- Development Geography
- Tourism for development
- Regional development
- Businesses agglomeration theories
Education
- MA in Business Administration, Universidad Tec Milenio
- BA in Marketing, Universidad Anahuac
Previous experience
For more than 14 years I have conducted research of the tourism industry in one of the most important touristic regions of Mexico and in the globe: The Yucatan Peninsula.
I have also participated in the design and implementation of productive projects in benefit of vulnerable population groups in Cancun.
Teaching experience
Autumn 2018-19:
- GEO257 Qualitative Methods (Teaching Assistant)
- GEO6802 Research Design and Methods for Development (Teaching Assistant)
- GEO246 Environment, Society and Politics (Marking)