Creative Economy and Cultural Heritage: A Proposal to Tourism Development and Appreciation of Local Identity

Cultural heritage refers to characteristics of a particular place that constitute its identity, making them distinguish themselves from others through certain aspects. The addition of cultural value to services is a strategy widely used in social development programs and companies in various sectors of the economy. According to Albagli (2004), the expression "cultural value added" refers to the different characteristics of a given local culture, used to increase the competitiveness that is associated with them. Each time more, this subject has been discussed, on a task of preserving cultural heritage and commitment to find solutions about the future of localities. In this scenario, design as an activity capable of identifying potential in human, cultural, material and economic aspects, developing them in a strategic way, is configured as a way to enhance local identity. This article aims to discuss the importance of creative sectors and their role in valuing local culture and identity, reflecting about possible ways for tourism and strategic planning through design. It is a study that was part of a doctoral research developed in the scope of design to value local resources and presents some of its results. It is expected to be a way of turning the  spotlight on heritage assets in order to work towards their enhancement and drive ways of differentiating destinations by bringing out a new way of doing tourism.