Mateo Salas

Background

About Mateo Salas

Anthropologist and researcher specializing in the intersection of ecotourism, rural development, and indigenous rights across Latin America. My research centers on coastal Ecuador, examining relationships between global economic forces, tourism development, and local communities. I hold an M.A. in Anthropology from Florida Atlantic University, where my ethnographic fieldwork in coastal region of Ecuador formed the foundation of my academic focus. My research examines the commodification of natural resources, land rights issues, and ecotourism's complex impacts on Indigenous communities. My work challenges prevailing assumptions about ecotourism by investigating how certain initiatives can reinforce existing power structures while operating under sustainability frameworks. My research areas include green grabbing, disaster capitalism, and rural gentrification within tourism contexts. Currently a PhD candidate in Anthropology at the University of Calgary, I remain dedicated to highlighting marginalized perspectives and advocating for community-centered, equitable approaches to tourism development. My academic interests encompass political ecology, critical tourism studies, rural geography, and decolonial methodologies. I've presented research at international venues including the Latin American Studies Association Congress. My approach connects academic research with practical applications, aiming to influence policy developments that prioritize community rights and environmental sustainability. I strive to contribute meaningful insights into tourism's socioeconomic impacts while working toward more equitable development models that create genuine value for communities and ecosystems alike.