HomeAbstract of 7th-ictmhOral Heritage as a Territorial Smart Asset: A Scalable Conceptual Framework for Destination Management in Small Municipalities

Oral Heritage as a Territorial Smart Asset: A Scalable Conceptual Framework for Destination Management in Small Municipalities

  • Jun 10, 2026
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Abstract Book of the 7th International Conference on Tourism Management and Hospitality

Year: 2026

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Oral Heritage as a Territorial Smart Asset: A Scalable Conceptual Framework for Destination Management in Small Municipalities

Sofia Ribilotta

ABSTRACT:

In the context of rural tourism, Intangible Cultural Heritage—such as minority languages, dialects, and oral traditions—is frequently relegated to static folklorization. This conceptual paper aims to shift this paradigm by theorizing oral heritage as a dynamic “Smart Asset” capable of driving territorial competitiveness for small and inland municipalities globally. The study develops a replicable theoretical framework utilizing the Gallo-Italic enclaves of Sicily as a primary theoretical laboratory. This application is grounded in a rigorous territorial selection: it focuses on municipalities maintaining a measurable intergenerational vitality and strong identity awareness (San Fratello, Novara di Sicilia, Nicosia, Sperlinga, Piazza Armerina, and Aidone), explicitly excluding areas experiencing a completed language shift and sicilianization (Agira, Valguarnera Caropepe, Fondachelli-Fantina, Montalbano Elicona, and Galati Mamertino). This comparative baseline ensures the framework’s adaptability to various international contexts of cultural preservation. The study theorizes how digital infrastructures can transform intangible heritage into a strategic resource for Destination Management Organizations (DMOs) targeting “Roots Tourism”. Specifically, translating oral knowledge into structured, accessible data via Web-GIS mapping and podcasting creates a relational bridge between host communities and temporary citizens. The proposed model offers a scalable solution for any small municipality aiming to promote its heritage. By adopting low-cost accessibility strategies like Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), local public administrations can digitize their historical memory without heavy infrastructural costs, fostering sustainable Community-Based Tourism and economic regeneration.

Keywords: Byod; Dialects; Digitalization; Intangible-Heritage; Roots-Tourism