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Heritage tourism is a branch of tourism centered around the exploration and appreciation of a region's cultural, historical and environmental heritage. [1] This form of tourism includes both tangible elements, such as historically significant sites, monuments, and artifacts, as well as intangible aspects, such as traditions, customs, and practices. [2]
A specific subset of heritage tourism, cultural heritage tourism, emphasises on the human dimension of these sites, focusing on the traditions, practices, and values that are deeply connected to them. [3] Likewise, heritage tourism focuses specifically on the history of a region, as well as its natural heritage.
Heritage tourism can look like visiting historically significant locations, engaging with local traditions(Folklore), and gaining insights into the historical and contemporary aspects of a community, culture or religion. [4]
Consequently, heritage tourism also underscores the importance of preserving cultural and historical resources. This can be extremely beneficial for a region, not only by helping in the preservation of vital customs and culture, but also by contributing to the economic development and sustainability of the area. [5]
In some Christian and Islamic traditions, the purpose of a pilgrimage was often to honor the shrine of a prophet or saint, such as that of Muhammad in Mecca during the Islamic pilgrimages of the Hajj and Umrah. Other popular pilgrimage sites in Europe included Lourdes in France and Canterbury in England. [6] In some cases pilgrims contribute significantly to the economies of certain regions. [7] [8]
For example, the rediscovery of ancient Roman ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum stimulated an interest in the civilizations of the ancient world and travel. [9] Additionally, in the 19th century, there was an increase in tourism and in grand tours of Europe to historical sites. [10] The concept of a historical monument emerged in the Western world, accompanied by tourism. [11]
Heritage tourism is promoted by the World Heritage Convention, which is a part of UNESCO. This stemmed from various safeguarding campaigns. The decision to build the Aswan High Dam in Egypt, including a plan to flood the valley containing the Abu Simbel temples, caused several conflicts. [12] [13]
In 1959, after an appeal from the governments of Egypt and Sudan, UNESCO launched an international safeguarding campaign. Archaeological research in the areas to be flooded was accelerated. And the Abu Simbel and Philae temples were dismantled, moved to dry ground, and reassembled. [14] The campaign cost about 80 million US dollars, half of which was donated by some 50 countries.
Other safeguarding campaigns, such as saving Venetian Lagoon (Italy), the archaeological ruins at Mohenjo-daro (Pakistan), and restoring the Borobudur Temple Compounds (Indonesia), had been performed as well. Consequently, UNESCO initiated, with the help of the French cultural heritage organization, ICOMOS, the preparation of a draft convention on the protection of cultural heritage.
Culture, heritage and the arts have contributed to the appeal of tourist destinations. [16] Cultural heritage tourists might travel to see performances and productions of intangible heritage associated with the history of certain regions. Revenue from this form of tourism can be transferred to local economies, it can also appropriate cultural heritage for entertainment. [17] [18] Heritage tourism can sometimes be supported by municipalities through promotion and tourist information in their administrative units, e.g., cities such as Poland's Warsaw. [19]
Cultural heritage [20] tourism involves visits to immovable historic sites which might include industrial sites such as fortifications, transportation facilities, and other sites that might show the technologies of the past. [21] The purchase of cultural goods, including numismatic coins, antiquarian books, and antiques, can also be associated with heritage tourism when collectors travel to those locations.
Tourism organizations in these regions can offer specialized visits that allow tourists to experience the gastronomic heritage associated with multiple brands. [22] [23] For example, Brittany (France), is associated with Galette, while Normandy is associated with Calvados. [24] In the United States, the region known as the Old Bourbon is associated with Bourbon whiskey production. [25]
Natural heritage tourism involves visits to natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of such formations, geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated areas which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants, natural sites, or precisely delineated natural areas. [26] [27]
Benjamin W. Porter and Noel B. Salazar have ethnographically documented that cultural heritage tourism can create tensions and even conflict among the different stakeholders involved. [28]
The effect on indigenous peoples whose land and culture are being visited by tourists has been considered a problem. In Mexico, tourism increased because of the predicted end of the Maya calendar. Some activists [ who? ] claim the indigenous Maya are not benefiting from the traffic. [29] However, heritage tourism has sometimes contributed to the economies of certain regions, for example, heritage tourism contributed 50 million pounds to Orkney's economy in 2017. [30]
Fieldworkers' notes, books and fieldwork were employed by colonial officials to understand aboriginal people. [31] [32]
Tourism is travel for pleasure, and the commercial activity of providing and supporting such travel. UN Tourism defines tourism more generally, in terms which go "beyond the common perception of tourism as being limited to holiday activity only", as people "travelling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure and not less than 24 hours, business and other purposes". Tourism can be domestic or international, and international tourism has both incoming and outgoing implications on a country's balance of payments.
World Heritage Sites are landmarks and areas with legal protection by an international convention administered by UNESCO for having cultural, historical, or scientific significance. The sites are judged to contain "cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity".
A tourist attraction is a place of interest that tourists visit, typically for its inherent or an exhibited natural or cultural value, historical significance, natural or built beauty, offering leisure and amusement.
Tourism in Italy is one of the largest economic sectors of the country. With 60 million tourists per year (2023), Italy is the fourth most visited country in international tourism arrivals. According to 2018 estimates by the Bank of Italy, the tourism sector directly generates more than five per cent of the national GDP and represents over six per cent of the employed.
Tourism in France directly contributed 79.8 billion euros to gross domestic product (GDP) in 2013, 30% of which comes from international visitors and 70% from domestic tourism spending. The total contribution of travel and tourism represents 9.7% of GDP and supports 2.9 million jobs in the country. Tourism contributes significantly to the balance of payments.
Tourism in Greece has been a key element of the economic activity in the country, and is one of the country's most important sectors. Greece has been a major tourist destination and attraction in Europe since the 1970s for its rich culture and history, which is reflected in large part by its 18 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, among the most in Europe and the world as well as for its long coastline, many islands, and beaches.
Cultural tourism is a type of tourism in which the visitor's essential motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume the cultural attractions and products offered by a tourist destination. These attractions and products relate to the intellectual, spiritual, and emotional features of a society that encompasses arts and architecture, historical and cultural heritage, culinary heritage, literature, music, creative industries as well as the living cultures with their lifestyles, value systems, beliefs and traditions.
Tourism in Mexico holds considerable significance as a pivotal industry within the nation's economic landscape. Beginning in the 1960s, it has been vigorously endorsed by the Mexican government, often heralded as "an industry without smokestacks," signifying its non-polluting and economically beneficial nature.
Tourism in Croatia is a major industry of country's economy, accounting for almost 20% of Croatia's gross domestic product (GDP) as of 2021.
Tourism in Turkey is focused largely on a variety of historical sites, and on seaside resorts along its Aegean and Mediterranean Sea coasts. Turkey has also become a popular destination for culture, spa, and health care. Since 2021, Turkey is the fourth most visited country in the world.
An ancient monument can refer to any early or historical manmade structure or architecture. Certain ancient monuments are of cultural importance for nations and become symbols of international recognition, including the ruins of Baalbek on Lebanese currency, the Angkor Wat on Cambodian currency and the Great Wall of China on the Chinese currency. There are some countries that display ancient buildings as symbols on their coats of arms as a way to affirm national identity. In this way, ancient monuments in the modern world are used as icons to represent a country. The importance of ancient monuments extends to cultural heritage and how the people of a nation or city identify themselves.
Cultural heritage is the heritage of tangible and intangible heritage assets of a group or society that is inherited from past generations. Not all heritages of past generations are "heritage"; rather, heritage is a product of selection by society.
Sustainable tourism is a concept that covers the complete tourism experience, including concern for economic, social, and environmental issues as well as attention to improving tourists' experiences and addressing the needs of host communities. Sustainable tourism should embrace concerns for environmental protection, social equity, and the quality of life, cultural diversity, and a dynamic, viable economy delivering jobs and prosperity for all. It has its roots in sustainable development and there can be some confusion as to what "sustainable tourism" means. There is now broad consensus that tourism should be sustainable. In fact, all forms of tourism have the potential to be sustainable if planned, developed and managed properly. Tourist development organizations are promoting sustainable tourism practices in order to mitigate negative effects caused by the growing impact of tourism, for example its environmental impacts.
Tourism in Pakistan is a growing industry. In 2010, Lonely Planet termed Pakistan "tourism's 'next big thing'". The country is geographically and ethnically diverse, and has a number of historical and cultural heritage sites. Condé Nast Traveller ranked Pakistan The Best Holiday Destination for 2020 and also declared it the third-highest potential adventure destination in the world for 2020. As security in the country improves, tourism increases; in two years, it has increased by more than 300%.
Saudi Arabia is the second biggest tourist destination in the Middle East with over 16 million visiting in 2017. Although most tourism in Saudi Arabia still largely involves religious pilgrimages, there is growth in the leisure tourism sector. As the tourism sector has been largely boosted lately, the sector is expected to a significant industry for Saudi Arabia, reducing its dependence on oil revenues. This is proved as tourism sector is expected to generate $25 billion in 2019. Potential tourist areas include the Hijaz and Sarawat Mountains, Red Sea diving and a number of ancient ruins.
Tourism in Bolivia is one of the key economic sectors of the country. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics of Bolivia (INE), there were over 1.24 million tourists that visited the country in 2020, making Bolivia the ninth most visited country in South America.
Kandolus is a village in Zanus Rastaq Rural District of Kojur District, Nowshahr County, Mazandaran province, Iran. Kandolus village sits in the heart of the Alborz mountain range, along the Zanos valley.
Traditionally, Yemen has been a tourism centre for centuries as it is in the middle of the trade routes of the Middle East and the Horn of Africa. Tourism played a fundamental role in the region in global trade and has remained so until the 20th century. Afterwards, there has been a sharp decline in tourism since the 2011 Yemen Crisis. The rise of extremism caused fear in prospective foreign tourists to Yemen. Yemen has four World Heritage Sites, some of the sites have been attacked including historic old city of Sana'a. In 2015 UNESCO declared its plan to protect the world heritage sites of Yemen.
Tourism in India is economically important and ever-growing. The World Travel & Tourism Council calculated that tourism generated ₹14.02 lakh crore (US$170 billion) or 9.6% of the nation's GDP in 2016 and supported 40.343 million jobs, 9.3% of its total employment. The sector is predicted to grow at an annual rate of 6.8% to ₹28.49 lakh crore (US$340 billion) by 2027.