체험경제이론을 활용한 커뮤니티 기반 생태관광 (CBET) 사례 분석: 멕시코 구야비토스 바다거북 프로그램을 중심으로 = A Study on Applying the Experience Economy to Community-Based Ecotourism (CBET) : The Sea Turtle Program in Guayabitos, Mexico

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study qualitatively examines the sea turtle conservation program in Guayabitos, Mexico, as a case of community-based ecotourism (CBET), applying Pine and Gilmore’s Experience Economy theory. Drawing on participant narratives and the author’s field observations, the research analyzes how the program integrates the four experiential elements (4Es)—entertainment, educational, esthetic, and escapist experiences. Findings indicate that conservation efforts are coupled with resident involvement and visitor emotion: social activities foster emotional relaxation (entertainment), hands-on turtle rescue heightens environmental awareness (educational), the natural landscape supports emotional restoration (esthetic), and direct interaction with wildlife enables temporary escape from everyday life (escapist). The study shows that CBET programs can deliver holistic tourism experiences by strategically combining ecological symbolism, community leadership, and immersive program design. These insights suggest that experiential tourism in coastal areas is most effective when educational goals are aligned with emotional engagement and environmental ethics. Furthermore, the findings demonstrate the utility of the Experience Economy theory as a robust analytical framework for understanding visitor-centered ecotourism programs.