Cacao as living cultural heritage: responsible tourism and sustainable rural routes in Comalcalco, Tabasco

Abstract

Cacao represents one of the oldest productive and cultural heritages in southern Mexico. In Comalcalco, Tabasco, this crop not only preserves its pre-Hispanic and colonial roots but has also become a driving force for tourism, education, and community development. Based on this premise, the proposal explores how cacao can be consolidated as a living cultural heritage through responsible cultural tourism practices—capable of preserving, respecting, and sharing local knowledge without compromising the natural environment or the identity of producing communities.

The study derives from the chapter “Sustainable Tourism Planning in Cacao-Growing Territories: Comalcalco, Tabasco, Toward a Model of Local Sustainable Development,” currently under editorial review. The research is based on three core themes: sustainable tourism planning, sustainable territorial development, and community-based tourism entrepreneurship, aligned with SDGs 8, 11, and 12. A qualitative approach was employed through a case study, documentary review of municipal and state plans, and the design of interviews with key stakeholders: local tourism authorities, owners of regional cacao estates, artisanal chocolatiers, producer cooperatives, and certified tour guides.

The paper argues that cacao, more than an agricultural product, is a living cultural symbol that fosters responsible experiences rooted in respect for the territory, collective memory, and equitable community benefits. The presentation proposes guidelines to strengthen these cultural routes as models of sustainable rural tourism that can be replicated in other territories across Latin America.