Turismo rural en Piedra Herrada

The objective of this article is to highlight the multifunctionality of women participating in rural tourism in the Piedra Herrada ecological area and discuss their contribution to local development. The progress and inequalities during this process are revealed. Methodically, the following categories of analysis were explored: female plruiactivity, complementarity of family farming, and participation in rural tourism. The approach was conducted through focus groups and interviews with service providers. The main results reveal practices that, while relegating their full involvement, also demonstrate their ability to assume positions of authority traditionally held by male figures. An element to be discussed is that, despite this progress, practices that keep them subordinate to men persist. It is concluded that, despite the inequalities they face, they have found in rural tourism a means to agricultural diversification, forest preservation and improvement of the living conditions of their families. Keywords Rural tourism, local development, Piedra Herrada, women, Mexico.