Knowledge transfer processes in the authenticity of the intangible cultural heritage in tourism destination competitiveness

ABSTRACT

As tourism based on intangible cultural heritage usually encompasses a knowledge transfer process, the authenticity of the heritage (or its perception) can be affected by knowledge transfer. These knowledge transfers occur to present the heritage to the tourists (courses, tour guiding, etc.), but also in the destination itself when the heritage knowledge is codified in museums, tour guides are trained, or the heritage is transferred to newer generations. These situations present potential challenges where authenticity is distorted or even lost, and it affects the competitiveness of the destination. The work attempts to analyse those knowledge transfers and their challenges regarding authenticity to sustain the competitiveness of the destination.

KEYWORDS:

• Intangible heritage
• authenticity
• knowledge transfer
• competitiveness
• heritage tourism

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributor

Desiderio J. García-Almeida is an Associate Professor at the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. His research interests focus on knowledge management and innovation, management skills, and tourism and hospitality management. He teaches courses on organization, management skill, strategic management, competitiveness and destination management.