Abstract

CAMPION, Raphaëlle. The Magical Village of Coatepec, Veracruz: Crony Based Patrimonialism?. Rev. pueblos front. digit. [online]. 2023, vol.18, e101.  Epub Apr 14, 2023. ISSN 1870-4115.  https://doi.org/10.22201/cimsur.18704115e.2023.v18.634.

This paper focuses on analyzing the role played by the local elite in achieving the nomination of Coatepec, Veracruz as a magical village, part of the Magical Villages Program. A qualitative method was used based on semi-structured interviews with public officials, local inhabitants, and members of the Magical Villages Committee. The findings revealed a kind of entrepreneurial monopoly of tourism-oriented management of the village, thus limiting the population’s participation in managing its own heritage. Using the concepts of elite and crony patrimonialism, the paper reaches the conclusion that since its classification as a Magical Village, Coatepec has been promoted by local businesspeople and politicians, who, organized in a public policy network and driven by their interests, limit the social and environmental development of sustainable tourism.

Keywords : tourism; cultural heritage; cultural policy; public policy networks; elite.

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