The students of the Introduction to Tourism course of the first year of the Business Administration Engineering degree at the University of La Serena, taught by Professor Wilson Rojas Catelicán, participated in the project "Paleontological Walks in Río Hurtado" presented by the Sendero de Chile Foundation to the Sports Fund of the Regional Government of Coquimbo in 2013.

During the trek of almost 3 km, developed in the Pichasca Natural Monument in the commune of Río Hurtado, the students received instructions and techniques for walking and enjoying nature through the Leave No Trace principles, from the territorial manager of the Sendero de Chile Foundation, Manuel Rojas Martínez. In addition, they were informed of the great paleontological importance of the monument and the relevance of protecting natural and cultural attractions, such as the remains of petrified trees, fossil dinosaur bones and archaeological remains, in addition to knowing a valley with high tourist potential. .

Another important milestone on the tour was a healthy snack with local products, such as: nuts, pomegranates, fig cakes, oranges, mote con huesillos, among other products made by entrepreneurial women from the Río Hurtado commune, an instance that was He took the opportunity to share with the local community and learn about their vision for the tourist development of the commune.

''It is important to be able to take students to the field and to be able to visualize in reality what is learned in the classrooms, to be in contact not only with nature, which is of great beauty and diversity, promoting care for the environment. environment, but also being in contact with local communities and knowing firsthand their strengths and weaknesses as tourism entrepreneurs, since upon returning to the classrooms the students will be able to have a different vision of how to develop tourism in a more sustainable way.' ', highlighted the teacher in charge of the subject, Wilson Rojas.

This initiative was also supported by the director of the Business Administration Engineering degree, Manuel Álvarez Cortés, who pointed out that ''it is important that our professionals in training can actively participate in the recognition of experiences in the field, in order to be able to apply their knowledge and commit their support to the projection of the tourist activity of our Coquimbo Region.