Motives for boosting cultural tourism in Štip: Ottoman heritage

The study investigates the main prevailing factors for reanimating heritage sites dating from Ottoman period. This is done by elaborating the case of Štip (Macedonia), where five sites are identified as an Ottoman heritage. Generally, it was concluded that currently, the investigated sites are in an inadequate appearance, so only scarce tourism valorization can be done. On the other hand, they all possess uniqueness, aesthetic, architectural, historic and educational value, and may be related to many legends, myths and stories, thus been completely suitable to be presented as tourism products and part of a tourist route. Finally, the study recommends design and development of an Ottoman heritage tourism product, but not as a separate product of Štip, but rather as a regional, or even national product, which may be promoted in a tailor-made tourist route