Developing Agrotourism Opportunities In Guatemala
In December, Mark Willuhn traveled to western Guatemala to work with smallholder farmers who have been searching for ways to diversify their income sources and expand into the agrotourism industry. Mark worked with an organization called FECCEG which is a federation formed by 35 organic coffee farmers. He first surveyed the farms to assess the potential for agrotourism market and then began working with FECCEG staff to develop an agrotourism implementation plan . Mark also developed a Visitor Management and Tourism Development Plan with FECCEG staff to begin construction and marketing strategies immediately. He believes that social media will be vital to spark the interest of local and world markets to the beauty and potential of the region as a place to visit. [Left] Fresh bags of coffee being stored before shipment [Right] Five visitor cabanas were constructed in El Vergel An FECCEG federation advertisement. Translation: "Together we can go further" Mark has ext...