Masterpieces of Intangible Heritage in the Countries of Southeast Europe and Tourism Development

Culture plays a significant role as a resource in the development and maintaining of national and religious identity, and the cultural diversity, which is sought and appreciated by many tourists. Cultural tourism may be viewed as a symbiosis between two elements – culture and tourism. That is why the trends in cultural tourism development to a great extent reflect the ones in cultural heritage and tourism. At the same time, cultural tourism development is based on the striving to preserve the world cultural heritage and the natural heritage that is related to it. In this regard, the role of UNESCO is indisputable. The organization is at the forefront of the international efforts for preservation of cultural diversity, of tangible and intangible heritage. To achieve its goals, UNESCO encourages the identification, protection, and preservation of the world cultural and natural heritage, as well as the broader spread of oral and intangible heritage. These goals are united in two conventions – the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. In this paper, an analysis of the importance of intangible cultural heritage on a global and regional scale and the role of The Convention for its safguarding has been made. The opportunities for the countries of Southest Europe to make use of the masterpieces of intangible heritage for tourism are discussed. Some reccomendations and conclusions are also made.