Economic Perspectives of Intangible Cultural Activities

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this paper is to identify Greek folk-dance characteristics as intangible cultural activities attracting tourists, as an alternative form of tourism, and to investigate the potential impact of Greek folk-dance on the economic development of the tourism industry. This study was based on a structured questionnaire. Respondents are a sample of individuals who are dedicated to Greek folk dance (Greek or foreign tourists). They are amateur dancers or professional folk dancing instructors but all of them have attended workshops of folk-dance in different parts of Greece. Results stressed the emergence of (a) a growing need for urgent assessment of market value for folk dancing which is associated with cultural tourism, and (b) a need to re-evaluate current educational perspectives to increase the academic status of folk dance to a certified degree level, in order to preserve and promote Greek cultural heritage.