CULTURAL TOURISM AS A TOOL FOR ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION IN SMALL CITIES

Abstract

This paper examines the role of cultural tourism as a strategic instrument for economic revitalization in small urban areas, with a particular focus on post-industrial regions. In the context of economic restructuring and industrial decline, many small cities face persistent challenges such as unemployment, population decline, and limited economic diversification. Cultural tourism offers an alternative development pathway by valorizing local cultural and industrial heritage and transforming it into a source of economic growth. The analysis is based on secondary data and focuses on key tourism indicators, as well as on the identification of development opportunities and structural constraints. The findings indicate that cultural tourism can significantly contribute to local economic development through job creation, support for local entrepreneurship, and increased public revenues. At the same time, the research highlights major challenges, including insufficient infrastructure, limited promotion, and the lack of coherent strategic planning. The paper proposes an integrated development model based on the valorization of industrial heritage, the development of thematic tourism routes, the organization of cultural events, and the integration of cultural tourism with other forms such as mountain and ecotourism.