This dialogue explored how action research can create sustainable tourism that respects living heritage. Ruzanna Tsaturyan and Ketevan Gurchiani shared experiences from their work with the Smithsonian’s My Armenia and Mukhrani Village projects, showing how deep community collaboration can transform tourism into a force for cultural safeguarding and local empowerment.
In Armenia, the My Armenia program worked with rural communities to develop tourism based on traditional crafts, music, and storytelling. The project focused on authentic cultural exchange, ensuring tourism initiatives aligned with local values and addressed challenges like overtourism and displacement.
In Georgia, the Mukhrani Village experience revived a historic region by identifying cultural assets—such as wine-making traditions and folk festivals—that could attract visitors while preserving local identity. The project demonstrated how small-scale, research-backed tourism can foster community pride and sustainable income.
The discussion highlighted key questions: How can tourism avoid exploiting cultural heritage? What role should researchers play in balancing preservation and development? Moderator Michele McKenzie emphasized the need for long-term partnerships between academics, policymakers, and communities, stressing that successful projects require flexibility and cultural humility.
