Global Journal of Human Social Science, E: Economics, Volume 22 Issue 3

Table 9: Correlation among tourism GAV and other economic sectors in Ecuador provinces. Activity Pichincha Guayas Tungurahua Azuay Pastaza Ecuador Construction ,751* ,835** ,340 ,880** -,406 ,912** Forestry ,686 ,848** ,490 ,719* -,150 ,597 Trade ,360 ,929** ,614 ,675 -,413 ,851** Real Estate ,597 ,740* -,130 ,670* ,216 ,831** **Meaningful correlation at 0, 01 level; * Meaningful correlation at 0, 05 level VI. D iscussion Previous research on tourism participation in Ecuador's economy has been focused on measuring its nationwide contribution, without estimating its impact on each of the country's provinces; something important in Ecuador as it is a very heterogeneous country where the economic growth generated by tourism is different for each region. Thus, public policies focused on tourism must be different as per the zone in question. In the 2010-2019 period, the tourism average annual growth rate registered negative figures in Pastaza, despite the fact that in the same period the province tertiary sector grew by 41.9%. Tourism is considered a relevant activity for the tertiary sector, however, in Pastaza it has not represented an important contribution to this sector growth. Despite the fact that researches being carried out in other countries demonstrate tourism relationship with trade and real estate services at international level, there is little research on this relationship within provincial level. (Brida et al., 2008; Aznar et al., 2016; Hall, 2019). This article shows there is a direct relationship between tourism and other sectors, regarding Ecuadorian provinces cases where the economy is growing. Pastaza has a surprising potential for sustainable tourism, because of its natural and cultural heritage. Among its tourist attractions, however, this tourist potential has not yet become a source of income and employment. Based on different methods and sources, it is considered the main problems tourism faced in Pastaza province are: • Limited integration between tourism and the rest of the sectors. • Lack of strategies for developing tourism in the region. • Lack of useful information for decision making. VII. C onclusions The research, without attempting to be exhaustive, provides elaboration statistics where various estimates are highlighted on tourism contribution to Pastaza province economy, as well as expert evaluations on inner and outer elements involved in tourism development. These results are considered a must to define policies, strategies and concrete actions needed to support tourism sustainable development. The annual behavior of foreign currency earnings from tourism in Ecuador has registered a positive variation for the last 10 years. However, tourism sector has not had the same participation in the economy in all regions. The Coast contributed 50% of GDP and the Sierra 46%, while the Amazon only contributed 4%. Analyzes by provinces have shown an uneven development level of the tourism sector, which tend to believe accurate public policies for tourism are needed in order to suit their characteristics. The research showed the main causes affecting tourism performance in Pastaza are influenced by: the current economic scenario, a limited integration between tourism and the rest of the sectors, a lack in renewing strategies for tourism development and a lack of statistical records and strategic information for decision-making. Tourism as an alternative to reduce poverty in the province of the Amazon regions requires comprehensive solutions involving not only to face other problems related to basic infrastructure construction but also using heritage for tourism purposes as well. A strengthening of tourism sustainable development in Pastaza requires a work orientation that fosters, starting from tourism, companies’ competitiveness, jobs creation and public-private alliances based on mechanisms that allow an integration between tourism and the all other sectors of the economy and society. R eferencias B ibliográficas 1. Aznar, J. P., Bagur, L. & Rocafort, A. (2016). Service quality impact on competitiveness and profitableness: Hotel industry on the Catalonian coast (Impacto de la calidad del servicio en la competitividad y rentabilidad: El sector hotelero en la costa catalana. Intangible Capital, 147-166. 2. Banco Central de Ecuador (2020). https://www. ecuadorencifras.gob.ec 3. Brida, G. J., Lanzilotta, B., Pereyra, J. S. & Pizzolon, F. (2020). Tourism as an economic growth: A Comparative Research factor on MERCOSUR countries. (El turismo como factor del crecimiento económico: un estudio comparativo de los países © 2022 Global Journals Volume XXII Issue III Version I 69 ( ) Global Journal of Human Social Science - Year 2022 E Tourism and Economy Growth in the Ecuadorian Province of Pastaza