ABSTRACT
Tourism in Araucanía, a region in southern Chile, is presented by the authorities as the most effective way to overcome poverty and increase the general wellbeing of indigenous communities. This view is of particular relevance for the Mapuche people, as it may have a positive impact on their livelihoods. In order to evaluate whether ethnotourism is a long-term sustainable activity that can improve life quality and preserve indigenous culture, it is fundamental to understand why the Mapuche have started to provide tourist services, how they understand what they are doing, and the kind of relationships they develop with visitors. This chapter adopts a qualitative methodology based on semi-structured interviews with the Mapuche who provide tourist services in Araucanía. Motivations are economic and also cultural, aimed at preserving their ecosystem and sense of place. Moreover, these activities provide an opportunity to value and share their knowledge within their own communities. Interviews also show that this complementary activity allows the Mapuche communities to preserve traditional farming methods and maintain a strong bond with the land, according to their traditional worldview and philosophy.
