Tourism development, based on traditional and local knowledge is important for highlighting the cultural features which distinguish one region from another. Knowledge and skills of local people, crafts, customs, rituals, festivals, etc. can be seen as cultural capital or as the intangible cultural heritage of local population . The intangible cultural heritage is difficult to "safeguard", is often not easy to stage for the visitors of a region, and can be made accessible and tangible through innovative leisure activities.
In this research project, a concept for the simultaneous safeguarding, transfer and tourism valorization of traditional knowledge about nature will be created. Competences, practices and traditional knowledge of local people (e.g. about different crops, ecological gardening, medical plants etc.) are investigated in order to be made accessible to specific target groups and thus preserved. Experts and knowledge bearers, including older generations are identified and involved as informants. Scenarios for tourism development will be designed to ensure dialogue and knowledge transfer between regions, but also between generations. Furthermore, this tourism valorizatin can contribute to the safeguarding, promotion and development of intangible cultural heritage.
