THE COMMITMENT OF RURAL COMMUNITY TOURISM TO PROMOTE SOCIAL CAPITAL, COLLECTIVE ACTION AND GOVERNANCE IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT: STUDY OF FOUR INITIATIVES OF COSTA RICA

Abstract

This communication articulates a theoretical framework composed of social capital, collective action and governance of rural spaces with a relevant social phenomenon, such as Community Rural Tourism (TRC) in Costa Rica. Fundamental elements of social capital, such as trust, reciprocity rules and information flows, are shown to be factors that affect the formation and sustainability of CRT experiences, as they contribute to facilitating cooperation and collective action at the community level. The results of an exploratory study focused on four case studies are presented, in which qualitative and quantitative instruments were used, managing to provide direct information about the reality of rural territories inserted in a globalizing activity, such as tourism.