ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the equation between tourism and economic development from an emic point of view. It explores the myth of the pursuit of tourism by two Bolivian highland communities: Santiago and Santiago Chuvica in Nor Lpez Province, self-designated guardians and managers of the Laqaya archaeological site. The chapter also considers the moments before the full entry of these two communities into the regional touristic system, it analyses the local interpretation of the heritage/tourism relationship and the value conceded to archaeological ruins as they become cultural commodities for economic development. Tradition requires respect for the ancients, forbids transit across the ruins for fear of their angera cause of illness and calamities and demands pagos to the ruins if they happen to be in chacras or crossroads. The psychosocial interpretation of the ruins is changing from their conception as places of memory, experience, and fear to places onto which the idea.
