Smuggling memories as an intangible heritage: the Cultural Tourism, benefits to a sustainable development. The case study of Melgaço

Abstract eng:
In this paper, referring to theoretical and applied studies on interrelationships of Heritage and Culture as an economic and social pillar of sustainable development, we analyse testimonies and memories of smuggling border in Melgaço. A temporal arch located between the 30s of XX century to the end of it, if you want to demonstrate how this activity was underground for border people a subsistence economy, having become, now an undeniable intangible heritage in these regions. These memories, understood as heritage today constitute a unique resource that inform us about this practice then considered illegal, as will be shown that scored unambiguously a certain borderland identity. Illustrate the testimonies of those who lived it, who is seeking to recover the value of heritage and memory making tangible phenomenon to human knowledge, preserving it for its tourist fruition. Concluded to be essential demonstrate symbolic goods associated with these memories and point up ways for building and monetizing interactive museums, to obtain in this way an intense and lasting activity on various audiences. With the final opening of the borders, with the integration of Portugal and Spain in the European Union, ending this phenomenon, an important contribution to the household economy and sub parallel economic system, but this failure may be transfigured and adding up all the potential of Cultural Tourism potentiated by free movement between nations and consequent greater mobility and contact between people. It appears that the border areas are also rich in both natural and intangible heritage, thereby enabling the sustainable development of these regions as tourist destinations, offering new opportunities to develop, preserving their identity, environmental quality and economic sustainability, and allowing the visitor to experience the authenticity and rurality that still enjoy. The Case Study of Melgaço, the subject of empirical study that focuses on communication and that this continues, it is proposed to position the county as a destination with high rates of tourism growth, based on diversity, excellence and innovation of their tourism in a context of increasing competitiveness.

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