The article “Heritage and memories as a differentiating factor of community tourism: Maceira project – Village Ambassadors” focuses on the Maceira project, which aims to combat depopulation in rural areas by promoting community tourism and preserving heritage. The project involves various activities such as storytelling, community engagement, and training programs for tourist guides. These initiatives aim to promote active aging, intergenerational interaction, and the preservation of cultural identity. The project also focuses on developing strategies to enhance tourism and repopulation in the village.
One of the key aspects of the project is the collection of evidence to evaluate the activities implemented, including community guide training, storytelling sessions, defining heritage routes, and live theater performances. By reviving memories and engaging visitors, the project aims to captivate the public and promote a deeper understanding of the village’s cultural heritage. The activities are designed to reconcile history, heritage, landscape, environment, and culture while fostering community participation and digital skills acquisition.
The project targets the community of Maceira, involving multiple generations and promoting intergenerational activities. Through initiatives like storytelling sessions, participants shared life stories, legends, and traditions, highlighting the cultural richness of the village. The project also focuses on assessing participant satisfaction and feedback to improve future activities. Overall, the Maceira project serves as a model for community-based tourism initiatives that prioritize heritage preservation, community engagement, and sustainable tourism development in rural areas.
