CULTURAL HERITAGE OF A LOCALITY WITH TOURISM POTENTIAL IN THE SAN LUIS POTOSÍ HIGHLANDS

Abstract

Cultural heritage is defined as the sum of the tangible and intangible goods with historical, artistic and scientific value; and considered as a tourism resource, it contributes to the development of rural and urban regions. The objective of this study was to identify the cultural heritage with tourism potential, as well as to contrast the knowledge and perception that inhabitants in the municipality of Salinas, San Luis Potosí, México, have about it. The tangible patrimony was identified through the methodology of CICATUR and OAS. The intangible patrimony was classified using the ethnographic method. To contrast the knowledge and perception that the population have regarding their cultural heritage, 96 surveys were
applied. The results indicated that the knowledge was different depending on the locality of origin, schooling, and gender of the survey respondent. Women showed a greater sense of pride and positive perception about their cultural heritage. Salinas has valuable cultural patrimony for the population in the region; as a whole, La Casa Grande, El Palomar and La Salinera represent an opportunity to activate the tourism sector