Increasing inclusivity, promoting intercultural understanding, particularly the participation of youth, women, the aging population, and minority groups
Argument
Marginalised and vulnerable group empowerment in tourism fosters greater inclusivity by actively involving underrepresented populations, such as youth, women, the elderly, and minority groups, in heritage preservation and tourism development. By engaging these communities in activities like heritage documentation, storytelling, and participatory creative projects, tourism becomes a platform for amplifying diverse voices and safeguarding endangered traditions. This inclusive approach not only strengthens cultural identity and pride but also challenges stereotypes, promotes intercultural understanding, and ensures that tourism benefits and experiences are accessible to all.
Practical applications
Collaborating with local actors and stakeholders helps safeguard and promote the endangered cultural values of the Vlach communities in the Upper Vjosa Valley. This effort focuses on collecting the surviving memories, oral traditions, and everyday practices of elderly Vlachs, not only to preserve a disappearing culture, but also to recover time-tested ecological knowledge that may offer guidance for today’s environmental challenges. A network of cultural routes will be created along the historical nomadic itineraries of the Vlachs, with each path carefully surveyed, mapped, and narrated to reflect the deep connections between the territory and its people.
Actively engaging the local community in preserving and creatively reusing heritage—through methods like participatory video production—helps foster a sense of ownership and pride. This involvement not only enriches the cultural experience, making it more authentic and engaging for visitors, but also strengthens local identity. For tourists, encountering a proud and ambitious Roma community offers a powerful and unique experience that challenges existing stereotypes and counters negative prejudices toward Roma in Hungary.
Šalek Valley (Slovenia) – The Kamerat electric transport service supports accessibility by providing mobility options for the elderly, helping ensure that tourism services and sites are as inclusive and reachable as possible.
