Cultural identity and tourism awareness of Rímac residents

Rímac, World Heritage City, houses important monuments from pre-Inca, colonial, and republican times, of great attraction for tourism. However, there are indications that the elements that comprise Rímac's cultural heritage are little recognized and valued by their residents, thus, making them less willing to participate in its conservation and use for tourism purposes. For this reason, this study aimed to explore the cultural identity and tourist awareness of the residents of Rímac through in-depth interviews, where 30 youngsters participated. Participants showed little knowledge about the cultural heritage of Rímac and its tourist potential, but they reported feeling proud to live there because Rímac holds their most cherished childhood memories and family values. Results support the importance of analyzing the memories and emotions that connect residents with their city's cultural heritage and ultimately influence their willingness to preserve it and support the tourism activity in their district. Future research could explore the role of sport and religion as part of the residents' cultural identity and their potential for tourism.