ABSTRACT
Rural areas face the challenge of managing intangible heritage in ways that avoid problems such as the loss of authenticity linked to over-tourism, or living heritage becoming disconnected from the local community due to overprotection. This study explores an innovative method for promoting a participatory governance process for intangible heritage currently managed on a non-participatory basis, in that the local community establishes a consensual model of sustainable tourism development that promotes both the rural renaissance of the area and the preservation of its Intangible Cultural Heritage. This research explores the case of the ‘raiers’ (timber-raftmen) of La Pobla de Segur, an ancient trade of transporting timber by river, recently awarded Intangible World Heritage status by UNESCO. Methods include participant observation, interviews, and discussion groups. The local community felt empowered to find a consensus on how to manage this Intangible Cultural Heritage by focusing on sustainable tourism development that preserves heritage while contributing to the rural renaissance of the area. The local community eagerly engaged by putting forward proposals, indicating the importance of agreements and new initiatives.
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Isabel Paulino
Isabel Paulino holds a post-doctoral researcher from University of Girona, doing a research stay in the University of Rovira i Virgili. Her research interests are aligned with the improvement of the planning, management, governance and resilience of tourist destinations so that they are more adaptable and efficient.
Carlos Burgos-Tartera
Carlos Burgos-Tartera holds a Master in Cultural Tourism from the University of Girona. His research interests are aligned with the tourism governance of the cultural heritage.
Silvia Aulet
Silvia Aulet is a researcher and lecturer from the University of Girona. Her research interests are focused in the field of cultural tourism, mainly in the field of tangible and intangible heritage related to religious tourism, spiritual tourism, and food tourism as drivers for sustainable development, intercultural dialogue, and peacebuilding.