The heritage of historic villages: an asset for the development of cultural tourism (case of the Oued Labiod valley in the Aures, Algeria)

PurposeThis article aims to clarify the link between heritage and development, focussing on how this wealth can be a resource for the promotion of tourism in the villages of the Oued Labiod valley in the Aures and reduce their backwardness.Design/methodology/approachThe paper opted for a qualitative empirical study, through interviews and direct observations. The data were supplemented by literature searches. The collected data were then analysed to obtain results.FindingsThe results show that the problem of the heritage of historic villages can no longer be reduced to the contemporary phenomenon of decay and physical mutations of traditional buildings. It is a more complex issue that encompasses major concerns requiring curious, comprehensive and constitutive solutions.Research limitations/implicationsDue to the particularity of the architecture and the specificity of the topography and climate of the study area, the results of the research may not be generalisable and are limited to the chosen example.Practical implicationsThe document offers advice to local actors to ensure that heritage properties are taken into consideration in all development policies and determines that the success of these projects depends on the involvement of the local population and the improvement of the legal framework.Originality/valueAs the first study on the issue of sustainable tourism development of the cultural heritage of the Oued Labiod valley, the document proposes new ways of development that respect the historical values and authenticity of the heritage and involve the inhabitants.