The Neoliberal reconfiguration of the rural spaces derived from tourism: an advance or a recoil? Neptalí Monterroso Salvatierra Autonomous University of the State of Mexico /
[email protected] Lilia Zizumbo Villarreal Autonomous University of the State of Mexico /
[email protected] Abstract: This article discusses the rural development strategy called New Rurality (Nueva Ruralidad), through which international agencies insist on the need to reconfigure the rural areas to meet the new roles as signed to them by the neoliberal model of development. It is suggested that the importance of discussing it lies in the fact is that, it is currently being implemented in most Latin American countries, including Mexico. In contrast, rural tour ism has been promoted from the perspective of the Labor Economics, strategy generated in the communities; it was unveiled as an alternative for rural populations, be cause it helps to counter act the negative effects of globalization and modernization that characterizes the current neoliberal period. To deepen into how the perspective of Labor Economics projects works in rural areas, this article refers to two experiences. One is developed by the community of San Pedro Atlapulco, located in the municipality of Ocoyoacac, State of Mexico, Mexico. The other has been developed by the community of San Cristobal, located in the town of Cardonal, State of Hidalgo, Mexico. In both cases, the implementation of tourism projects has helped improve rural living conditions. Key words: new rurality, social economy, rural tourism, rural areas, rural development. Resumen: En este artículo se discute la estrategia de desarrollo rural denominada nueva ruralidad, a través de la cual los organismos internacionales insisten en que es necesario reconfigurar los ámbitos rurales para que cumplan con las nuevas funciones que les asigna el modelo de desarrollo neoliberal.