Title of Paper
INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE APPRECIATION AND COLLECTIVE IDENTITY: PRECURSORS OF TOURISM EMPOWERMENT
Abstract (150 Words)
Empowerment is considered one of the main non-economic benefits of tourism activity; however, it remains unclear how destinations can increase their level of empowerment and increase community participation in planning processes. Previous research has suggested that the appreciation of destination resources and the levels of collective identity could be related to empowerment processes; however, more needs to be done to quantify this relationship in developing destinations. The present study quantified the relationship between intangible heritage appreciation and collective identity and its influence on tourist empowerment, using as context the province of Manabí in Ecuador within the framework of heritage gastronomy.
INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE APPRECIATION AND COLLECTIVE IDENTITY: PRECURSORS OF TOURISM EMPOWERMENT
Empowerment is considered one of the main non-economic benefits of tourism activity; however, it remains unclear how destinations can increase their level of empowerment and increase community participation in planning processes. Previous research has suggested that the appreciation of destination resources and the levels of collective identity could be related to empowerment processes; however, more needs to be done to quantify this relationship in developing destinations. The present study quantified the relationship between intangible heritage appreciation and collective identity and its influence on tourist empowerment, using as context the province of Manabí in Ecuador within the framework of heritage gastronomy.