Resilience and Community Management of Ecotourism Associations in South American Cloud Oases

The coastal fog oases, known as Lomas, are distinct ecosystems that play a vital role in supporting community-based ecotourism initiatives, providing both economic and social benefits. However, these community associations have faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating a process of adaptation to continue their operations. This study aims to analyze the key indicators developed by two ecotourism community associations in Peru to enhance community resilience during the pandemic, focusing on the three critical phases of disaster management: pre-disaster, response, and recovery. The findings seek to facilitate the replicability and improvement of strategies in other community associations within the Peruvian Lomas Network, as well as in similar organizations worldwide that are connected to ecological systems. To gather comprehensive insights, focus groups and interviews were conducted with representatives and members of the participating community associations, as well as individuals from the Peruvian Lomas Network. The analysis revealed that the most influential indicators of community resilience were a strong sense of community, active participation, and robust social support. In contrast, factors such as educational attainment, demographic data, coping strategies, and improvisation exhibited less impact on resilience outcomes. The study concluded that while these community associations demonstrated commendable resilience in navigating the pandemic, there is a critical need to enhance internal coordination and foster collaboration with local authorities to further strengthen their efforts and ensure sustainability moving forward.