Navigating Barriers to Collaboration: Sustainable Tourism Development in the Acapulco-Coyuca Region

This study examines collaboration as a strategy for sustainable tourism development in the municipal border zone of Acapulco and Coyuca de Benítez, Mexico, where ecological and social challenges pose significant obstacles to effective resource management. It seeks to identify the barriers preventing effective collaboration and explore opportunities for advancing sustainable tourism through collective action. Using a qualitative approach, the research draws on interviews with stakeholders, including local government officials, community leaders, and business owners. The analysis highlights significant structural barriers, such as weak institutional frameworks and financial disparities, alongside cognitive barriers, including mistrust and conflicting stakeholder priorities. Operational challenges, such as limited coordination mechanisms, further hinder collaborative efforts. However, shared opportunities are identified, including the conservation of the Coyuca Lagoon and the development of community-based tourism models. The findings suggest that fostering sustainable tourism in this region requires collaborative governance supported by trust-building, equitable resource distribution, and inclusive decision-making processes. The study contributes to the field of sustainable tourism governance and provides practical insights and actionable strategies for policymakers and stakeholders in this and similar regions.