Some Contributions to the Assumptive Identity of Portugal’s Jewish Heritage – the Case of Belmonte

Abstract

After consideration of the strong Jewish presence in Belmonte, Portugal, we proposed to evaluate if the local community assumes and identifies themselves with the nature of the Jewish tourism practices there. This evaluation was made by diagnosing local contributions and constraints to the development of an integrated touristic offer in Belmonte based on local assumptive identity. Through a survey of the local population, it was possible to analyze the feelings and perceptions about these issues, both for tourism in general and in particular the local Jewish contribution. Considering structural reasons that will rise in the future, it was given a particular focus on youth contributions for assumptive identity of that heritage.