The Meson of Cotija cheese: dynamic center of territorial interaction

Abstract

The objective of this work was to identify the elements of tourism potential that can help generate a beneficial territorial dynamic around the production of Cotija Region of Origin cheese. Based on a qualitative exploratory approach, informal talks and participant observation work were carried out, in order to identify the strengths of a small rural business that intends to leverage the continuity of a food, and, at the same time, achieve a territorial and economic interaction that benefits the producers and inhabitants of the region. Given the conditions of the process, it was found that, despite the efforts that are made steadily, the situations of the territory prevent initiatives such as those of the Mesón from being consolidated, both due to internal problems and external factors, which limits the manufacturers of the Cotija cheese and regional development. It is necessary to work jointly with different actors to boost the process of patrimonialization supported by agrotourism.