The assessment of gipsy’s heritage by means of ethno-cultural tourism

Abstract

Gypsies bear rich intangible cultural heritage (ICH) all over the world. They have developed that heritage through the history, and it fits with the guidelines established by UNESCO for the minorities’ safeguarding framework. In the first questionnaire performed among tourism professionals, we have confirmed that gipsies are always decoded by stereotypes affecting them (they are marginal, dangerous, uneducated, etc.). Nevertheless, they are also decrypted by positive stereotypes (they are musicians, artists, artisans, etc.). Those positive achievements have been the departure for our second questionnaire, performed among future tourism professionals aiming to know their opinions on the viability of autochthon tourism. The results of the inquiry have been encouraging: as far as the future professionals are concerned, gipsy intangible cultural heritage can draw visitors by means of ethno-cultural tourism. Our conceptual framework sets on these three concepts: intangible cultural heritage, ethno-cultural tourism and social categorisation. As for the procedure, a crossing methodology has been used: socio-historical analysis, a three answer scale of attitudes and a closed substitution-questionnaire.