Dissemination of the Cultural Heritage of the Machay Archaeological Complex, Rural Parish of Guasaganda, La Maná Canton, Cotopaxi Province

This project focuses on the Machay Archaeological Complex, located in Cotopaxi, Ecuador, with the main objective of disseminating its valuable cultural heritage, which has been officially recognized as part of Ecuador's Cultural Heritage since 2011. The site, associated with the hypothesis of being Atahualpa's final resting place and featuring pre-Inca and Inca vestiges (including Pucullu, Inca bath, Inca aqueduct, and Ushnu), suffers from limited dissemination due to a lack of continuous maintenance. The research will concentrate on Machay, as the Malqui site has restricted access. It will address cultural management and cultural tourism, recognizing the importance of public relations in building a positive tourism image and fostering visitor loyalty. A tripartite alliance currently exists between the La Maná Municipal GAD, the hacienda owner, and the Italian embassy for rehabilitation and conservation. The methodology involves primary interviews with the GAD, INPC, and the owner, in addition to field observation and secondary bibliographic review, aiming to analyze the impact of the complex and tourism on surrounding communities.<br/><br/><b>Goal</b>: <br/>To contribute to the dissemination of the cultural heritage of the main attractions of the Machay Archaeological Complex, addressing the lack of continuous maintenance and optimizing its tourism promotion.<br/><br/><b>Research lines</b>: <br/>Heritage and culture