The Role and Importance of Women in the Revitalization of Intangible Heritage in Order to Maintain the Competitiveness of the Destination

Abstract

Within the Croatian intangible cultural heritage, traditions and customs, due to their specific functions, occupy a unique place in tourism. The oral transmission of tradition, the culture of memory is manifested in the contemporary application of traditional customs as the most vital mod­el of duration, regardless of the new way of life in which traditional customs have lost their significance. This paper aims to highlight women’s role in tra­dition’s transference – a practice that belongs to women within the frame­work of intangible cultural heritage, but also female creativity which is closely related to sustainable tourism. Protected cultural goods of intangi­ble heritage represent forms of cultural expression of particular importance in a certain area. Their historical roots testify to their exceptional value from a historical, artistic, ethnographic, sociological, anthropological, linguistic, or literary point of view. Intangible cultural heritage, which is passed down from generation to generation, provides a sense of identity and continuity and thus promotes respect for cultural diversity and human creativity. The paper aims to point out the role of intangible cultural heritage as a genera­tor of destination development and the active role of women.