Introduction
Heritage is one of the most valuable resources inherited from the past. It includes tangible heritage (monuments, artifacts, landscapes) and intangible heritage (oral traditions, rituals, crafts). Tangible heritage may be immovable (temples, fortresses) or movable (tools, manuscripts). Together, these categories build networks of values that shape identity and community life.
Case studies
- Old Village Kumrovec (Croatia) – an ethnographic open-air museum preserving architecture and crafts while fostering local identity.
- Batana Eco-Museum (Rovinj) – a community-led initiative safeguarding maritime traditions through participatory practices.
Opportunities and risks
Tourism transforms heritage into a resource: it creates jobs, boosts local economies, and fosters intercultural exchange. Yet commodification risks staged authenticity, over-tourism, and the loss of living traditions. Balancing sustainability and identity is key.
Application
- Read the case study “Kumrovec”.
- Task: Identify which forms of heritage (tangible, intangible, movable, immovable) are most visible in the example. Discuss whether tourism helped or distorted them.
Reflection questions
- How does tourism reshape the meaning of heritage?
- What risks arise when heritage is seen mainly as a “product”?