Third International Conference on Tourism & Leisure Studies

Abstract

Tourism is increasingly considered an effective tool to mitigate problems in several territories and, specifically, in industrial areas. In this context, the main idea of this work reflects the process of social construction of industrial heritage and its importance as transmitters of sociocultural identity. This paper analyzes the revaluation and the use of industrial heritage as part of the productive reconversion strategies and, on the other hand, questions how the symbolic mechanisms are activated to dynamize these projects paying attention to the cultural identity and the collective memory. The methodology is based on two techniques: a qualitative approach (in-depth interviews were performed with local and academic experts) accompanied by a quantitative part (surveys regarding the population´s perception). To realize this analysis, this study focuses on the case of Ferrol (Galicia, Spain) as an industrial city that seeks to be reconverted through industrial tourism and, specially, the shipbuilding route (active industry).