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Intangible cultural heritage as a resource to develop cultural tourism in the province of Loja-Ecuador

Abstract:

This research aims at analyzing and placing value on the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH). A qualitative methodology centered on the enquiry of primary and secondary sources of the literature related to tourism and heritage was developed. Likewise, an ethnographic study from different population segments using surveys and in-deep interviews in Espíndola and Olmedo. Findings of this research show little level of conservation related to practices, techniques and ancestral knowledge. This result demonstrates the progressive loss of the cultural richness of these sites. In addition, the interest of the local community to place value on the ICH in order to set up an attractive territory resource to stimulate tourism activity.