Celebration of Scholars
The Indigenous Economy in Mexico
Name:
Anabel Martinez
Major: Spanish
Hometown: Aurora, Illinois
Faculty Sponsor:
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: Senior thesis
Funding: Senior Thesis
Abstract
Mexico is one of the most visited countries by tourists in
the world. It offers a rich culture that is still very present in the lives of
the people living there. There is a huge population of indigenous people that
call Mexico its home. Indigenous tourism lands in third place in what tourists
want to see and experience. Given that indigenous tourism lands so high on
the list, one would expect that the culture is very rich. However
the culture is being exploited by the government and by the people of Mexico in
order to make profit out of it. The government does it for money while the
indigenous people do it in order to make a living.
In order to eliminate the exploitation of the indigenous people in south Mexico, it is necessary to change the government structure in the tourism industry in order to assure that the indigenous people get the profit and recognition they deserve. My thesis research explores several different methods to address the problem. Combined with my research will be the personal experience I had, witnessing this problem while studying abroad in Mexico. An ultimate solution will be very difficult, but preliminary research indicates changing the laws of vendors and labor laws will improve the situation.
Submit date: March 15, 2013, 2:26 p.m.