Impact of Social Conflicts on Tourism Activity in Bolivia

Abstract

Social conflicts constitute one of the main factors affecting the development of tourism activity in Bolivia, particularly due to the recurring road blockades and social mobilizations that disrupt connectivity to the country's major tourist destinations. The objective of this study was to analyze the impact of social conflicts on tourism activity in Bolivia through documentary review and the perceptions of key stakeholders in the tourism sector. A qualitative research approach was adopted, based on semi-structured interviews conducted with key informants from the hotel industry, tour operation, and tourist guiding, complemented by a review of scientific articles, institutional reports, and other relevant documents. The information was analyzed using thematic analysis and organized into four analytical categories: economic impact, cancellations and operational disruptions, destination image, and adaptation strategies. The findings reveal that social conflicts lead to a significant decline in tourism revenues, widespread cancellations and rescheduling of reservations, reduced hotel occupancy rates, modifications to travel itineraries, and deterioration of Bolivia’s image as a tourist destination, thereby delaying the sector’s recovery process. Furthermore, participants emphasized the need to strengthen coordination between the public and private sectors through policies aimed at ensuring free mobility, improving tourism security, and promoting Bolivia in domestic and international markets. The study concludes that social conflicts have a multidimensional impact on the sustainability of tourism activity, highlighting the need to implement governance and management strategies that enhance the resilience of the tourism sector in the face of future social conflicts.