| This thesis addresses two central questions: Can tourism positively contribute to sustainable livelihood goals for marginalized populations? How has the introduction of tourism in semi-rural areas interacted with livelihood priorities over time? In order to attempt to answer these questions, this thesis, using livelihoods and power based approaches, analyses the case study of the small tourist town of Aguas Calientes, Peru (near Machu Picchu), and specifically its artisan market, through a series of interviews with market vendors in the Fall of 2007. This research indicates that unequal political, economic and social power structures and relationships within the market setting and the interacting surrounding area are currently restricting livelihood choices and access to tourism benefits. For greater equality in tourism to occur, change will need to be initiated in large part by those benefiting the least from tourism.;Key Words: sustainable livelihoods, tourism, power, Peru, market vendors, Machu Picchu. |
