Fortalecimiento de la gestión turística mediante planificación estratégica: un estudio de caso en La Paz, San Ramón (Costa Rica)

Rural tourism destinations in Latin America face significant challenges related to governance, strategic management, and the articulation among local stakeholders, particularly in communities that are in early stages of tourism development. Although participatory planning has gained relevance as an instrument for strengthening sustainable destination management, empirical studies documenting experiences developed in emerging rural contexts remain limited. This study aims to design, through a participatory approach, a strategic plan for the tourism development of La Paz de Piedades Norte, located in San Ramón, Alajuela, Costa Rica. The research adopts a qualitative methodological approach based on participatory processes, incorporating territorial analysis tools and strategic planning matrices adapted to the local context. The study involved the identification of endogenous resources, local capacities, challenges, opportunities,and the perspectives of community, institutional, and academic stakeholders involved in the destination. The results contribute to the construction of a strategic management framework oriented toward sustainable tourism development, strengthening local governance, prioritizing actions, and promoting greater coordination among actors. The findings highlight the relevance of participatory planning as a mechanism for guiding emerging rural destinations toward more inclusive, resilient, and context-sensitive development models. This research contributes to the discussion on community-based tourism planning by presenting an applied experience that integrates local knowledge, strategic management tools, and sustainability principles.