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Dr inż. Elżbieta Karaś
ORCID: 0000-0002-2211-6173

PhD Eng. Assistant professor at the Faculty of Economics and Management, Opole University of Technology, currently in the Department of Enterprise Management, E-business and Electronic Economy. Her main area of scientific and research interest are issues in the field of business management, concerning modern concepts and strategies, quality, innovation and marketing. In recent years, the aim of her research projects focuses on aspects of the development of economy and management of knowledge, information in the globalization. Author of numerous scientific publications presented at national and international conferences.

 
DOI: 10.33226/1231-7853.2024.10.3
JEL: Z10, Z30, M30, L11

Sentimental tourism, which refers to journeys to one's birthplace or ancestral homeland, gained prominence in East- Central Europe after 1980 in the context of post-war geopolitical divisions. It focuses on emigrants and their descendants, with emotional ties to the homeland shaped by the circumstances and timing of their emigration. This article examines the role of craftsmanship as a marketing tool in promoting sentimental tourism in the Opole Silesia region, where interest in this type of tourism has been declining, especially among younger generations. The hypothesis suggests that craftsmanship, as a tangible representation of cultural heritage, can effectively support the development of sentimental tourism. Findings indicate that craftsmanship, by enhancing the authenticity of experiences and fostering connections with local culture, has the potential to revitalize sentimental tourism. Collaboration with local artisans, including the German minority, and organizations, can enable more effective promotion while engaging the local community and preserving the cultural heritage of the region.

Keywords: sentimental tourism; migration; German minority; crafts; economy of culture