Sostenibilidad turística en la Amazonía ecuatoriana: conexiones entre conservación y comunidades del Corredor de Conectividad Llanganates-Sangay

This research was conducted in the Cerro Candelaria, Río Zuñag, and Río Anzu reserves, located in the Llanganates-Sangay Connectivity Corridor (CELS) in the Ecuadorian Amazon. The main objective was to identify and prioritise high-potential areas to design a sustainable nature-based tourism circuit that integrates environmental conservation, local economic development, and cultural valorisation. A mixed-methods approach with a socio-ecological perspective was applied, combining qualitative tools (semi-structured interviews, community validation) and quantitative tools (technical datasheets, hierarchical analysis, radar charts). A total of 18 tourist attractions were evaluated using Ministerio de Turismo criteria and the Holmes matrix, with 17 sites prioritised for inclusion in a 43 km tourism circuit. Findings highlight strong environmental conservation and tourism potential but reveal structural limitations regarding accessibility, promotion, and governance. A notable imbalance was observed between natural and cultural components, with underuse of local intangible heritage. While the national methodology facilitated standardisation, it shows limitations for non-state managed reserves in high biodiversity contexts. The study concludes that successful sustainable tourism in Amazonian territories requires participatory planning, capacity-building, inter-institutional coordination, and territorial promotion strategies. The CELS experience offers a replicable model for other community or private reserves.