At the beginning of the year 2022, the Gallo Giro Ecotourism Center, located near Las Nubes in Maravilla Tenejapa, Chiapas, found itself facing a challenging situation. The center's main tourist attraction suddenly vanished, leaving the team without its main source of income. However, in the midst of adversity, the community's resilience emerged, and with it, new opportunities arose thanks to the Market Ready Sustainable Destination Farming Program.
Transforming Crises into Sustainable Opportunities
A few decades ago, in the ejido La Fortuna Gallo Giro, a group of migrant families from Comalapa, Chiapas, ventured into the Lacandon Jungle in search of a better future. After overcoming countless obstacles along the way, they found a true treasure in this land: abundant water, natural resources and an environment conducive to life.
Initially dedicated to growing corn and other agricultural activities, in 2000 they decided to join forces to found the Gallo Giro Ecotourism Center. This initiative allowed them to diversify their activities, dedicating themselves to the administration of the center, restaurant service and visitor guidance.
Today, the Gallo Giro Ecotourism Center, run by Kelvin and Dover, grandsons of the founders, has become a reference in the Lacandon Jungle. They offer a wide range of services from lodging to cacao workshops, and from traditional tortilla making to exciting kayaking and rafting adventures on the Santo Domingo River.
Although the current situation looks promising, the road to this point has not been easy. The Gallo Giro team has faced numerous challenges over time, and below, we share some of the most significant ones that they have overcome with determination and perseverance to continue providing quality services to their visitors.
Challenges in Gallo Giro: Overcoming Loss and Seeking New Alternatives
Gallo Giro used to offer exciting raft rides on the Santo Domingo River, making this activity its main source of income through successful collaboration with other resorts in the area. However, in late 2021 and early 2022, the rafts deteriorated due to insufficient maintenance and lack of adequate storage space. Unfortunately, it was not possible to repair or replace them due to financial constraints.
Despite this setback, Gallo Giro found a new opportunity for growth and development thanks to the Market Ready Sustainable Destination Crops Program, promoted by La Mano del Mono. This program demonstrated that while challenges can change the course of a business, they can also open doors to a more prosperous and sustainable future.
Market Ready Sustainable Destination Crops Program
The program focused on improving the tourism offer in the Selva Lacandona region through self-evaluation, design and redesign of the tourism offer, identification of opportunities, prototyping of innovative tourism experiences and continuous improvement. It was implemented in three regions of the Selva: Nahá, Metzabok and Las Nubes.
In the case of Gallo Giro, the program challenged them to reinvent themselves and think beyond their traditional rafting service. The idea of creating an integral experience called "Under the Stars and by the River: Camping in the Lacandon Jungle" was born. This proposal integrated several services offered by the center into a single package, including lodging, food and adventure activities such as kayaking. The Gallo Giro team set up an area next to the river, called "El Amate", so that visitors could camp surrounded by the lush nature of the jungle.
During the program, the Gallo Giro team had the opportunity to present their proposal to potential business partners, receiving positive feedback that gave them the confidence to move forward with their new tourism offer.
Lessons Learned and Future Perspectives
One of the main lessons Gallo Giro learned from the program was the importance of maintaining a growth mindset and resilience at all times. Despite the initial loss of their main source of income, the team remained committed to the process and demonstrated a remarkable ability to adapt and find new business opportunities.
In addition, the program provided them with the tools and knowledge necessary to create innovative and professional tourism experiences, always focusing on customer satisfaction, respect for nature and the economic viability of the project.
Gallo Giro's story is a clear example of how resilience, growth mindset and collaboration can turn a crisis into an opportunity for growth and sustainable development. Through ecotourism, communities like Gallo Giro can not only improve their economic situation, but also contribute to nature conservation and the well-being of the entire region.
Written by Carlos Aguilar, Lead Facilitator
Proofreading and Style by Viviana Vásquez, Communication Leader
