Innovation in Tourism from a Co-evolutionary and Inclusive Approach: A Case Study of the Huyro Valley in Cusco, Peru

Abstract

Tourism is one of the most important economic activities in the Cusco region; however, it only benefits some destinations with low value-added experiences. The concepts of coevolution and inclusive innovation are introduced to understand the complexity of promoting innovation in tourism in contexts of social exclusion. The case study of the Huyro Valley in Cusco, Peru, based on the methodological design of action research, is given with the goal of understanding the specific difficulties in the tourism sector and, thereby, co-designing and implementing creative solutions with local actors. The research results provide evidence on how innovations in agritourism in the Huyro Valley are a confluence of new tangible products, knowledge and institutional arrangements. The understanding of this interdependence and continuous adaptation between the social, technical and institutional dimensions of innovation has implications for the development of tourism policies and programs based on the value of the natural and cultural resources, knowledge and organizational capacities of the locality.