Tourism sustainable practices in rural territories : the case of Caretos de Podence.

In rural communities several elements attract the contemporary tourist, such as the authenticity of the culture, being of particular importance the involvement of residents, as a key factor for the emancipation of the community and for local development. In this context, the question “How can a rural community emancipate itself through tourism activity?” arises. This article aims to present reflections on integrating the principles of sustainability in tourism, in these communities. The research presents as a case study a village in Portugal, Podence, which is characterized by the socio-economic dynamization of its intangible cultural heritage, distinguished by UNESCO. Following a qualitative approach, the method of semi-structured interviews was applied to understand the local perspective on tourism development. The results show the positive contribution of tourism activity to the community, through cultural enhancement and by the dynamization of the local economy. The importance of the cultural legacy for the well-being of the population, contributing to its sense of belonging, is notorious.