Heritage in Socio Economic Sustainable Development: The Salzedas and São João de Tarouca Case

Heritage and culture are considered by several academic studies as forms of achieving socio economic development. This is particularly evident in the case of Salzedas and São João de Tarouca, a region near the Douro Valley in Portugal, where the lack of economic opportunities compromises his future. The recent public investments in the restoration of the heritage sites and other forms of private initiatives related to them (hotels, restaurants, active tourism enterprises, etc.) seem to change this condition. This paper discusses why heritage maintenance and preservation can contribute to population fixation and richness growth. Several social and economic data are used to prove that statement. Another aspect considered is the evaluation of the historical values in presence and its role in the cultural tourism improvement. Considering all these variables, finally, is an objective of this research to prove that in less developed regions, the heritage and culture activities can be a way to achieve sustainability.