Strengthening sustainable tourism in sibaté: Analysis of international strategies and benchmarks

Abstract

The municipality of Sibaté, located in Cundinamarca, Colombia, has a high potential to establish itself as a sustainable tourist destination thanks to its natural and cultural wealth. However, it faces significant challenges related to limited infrastructure, insufficient promotion, and scarce technical training among local actors. This article analyzes strategies and international references that can contribute to strengthening sustainable tourism in Sibaté, based on global models adapted to the local context.The methodology employed was structured in three phases: documentary review, local diagnosis, and strategic proposal. Institutional and academic documents were analyzed, including reports from international entities such as UNWTO, ECLAC, and GSTC. Furthermore, semi-structured interviews, surveys, and participatory workshops were conducted with the local community to identify key resources such as the Sibaté Lagoon and the Chicha and Maize Festival. The collected data were integrated through methodological triangulation to assess the strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats of the tourism sector. The results show that Sibaté has great potential for sustainable tourism, but it needs to improve its infrastructure, strengthen tourism management, and promote community participation. The strategic proposals include implementing GSTC standards, optimizing technological tools like "Mi Ruta Sumapaz," and encouraging community tourism to ensure inclusive and responsible development.