Heritage-tourism-Module.docx

Definition of heritage tourism Heritage tourism refers to visiting places that embody the past or are related to intangible heritage manifestations, such as archaeological sites. It is a popular cultural tourism activity that involves managing sites for public visits to ensure an optimal tourist ex...

Definition of heritage tourism Heritage tourism refers to visiting places that embody the past or are related to intangible heritage manifestations, such as archaeological sites. It is a popular cultural tourism activity that involves managing sites for public visits to ensure an optimal tourist experience. Heritage Tourism as traveling to experience the places, artifacts and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past. Heritage tourism focuses on exploring and experiencing the cultural, historical, and natural heritage of a destination. It involves visiting places of historical significance, engaging with local traditions, and learning about the past and present aspects of a community or region. Heritage tourism is a branch of tourism centered around the exploration and appreciation of a region\'s cultural, historical and environmental heritage. TANGIBLE - Military attractions - Battlefields, museums, cemeteries, war memorials - Dark attractions - Sites of terrorism, places where famous people died, cemeteries, sites of mass murder or torture, concentration camps, prisons - Historic settlements - Historic cities, redeveloped waterfronts, villages, rural settlements Archaeological sites/historic buildings - Ancient ruins, archaeological digs, castles, churches, historic homes, museums - Industrial attractions - Docks, railways, mines, quarries, factories, breweries - Religious attractions - Churches, cathedrals, mountains, rivers, grottos, temples, church headquarters INTANGIBLE - Arts - Art traditions, handicraft skills, food, gastronomy - Languages - Unique languages, music Folkways - Dress, farming methods, faith, behavior, folklore, stories - Music and performing arts - Dance, music, opera Religion - Beliefs, practices, ceremonies, gender roles - Sport - Play, rules and methods - Festivals and pageants - Ethnic festivals, food festivals, religious pageants IMPORTANCE OF HERITAGE TOURISM For numerous reasons, heritage tourism holds significance in every nation. - Instills and reinforces national identity. - People tend to learn better their roots. - Generates awareness to other people. - Individuals learn to appreciate and accept individuals from different countries through heritage tourism. - Educates the tourists. The greatest approach to discover new cultures and gain knowledge while traveling is through heritage tourism. - Leverages human capital. The productivity of the populace is increased by heritage tourism, especially for those who work in the tourism industry. - Restores and revitalizes a geographic area. When a particular attraction captures people\'s interest, both the public and commercial sectors work to protect it so that future generations can visit and enjoy it. - Expands business and tax revenue. Heritage tourism raises the GDP, as well as taxes collected by the government. - Creates an innovative habitat. - Heritage tourism attracts knowledge-based workers. - Creates a sense of pride and belonging by residents. - Communities begin to espouse a good sense of ownership for the sites; hence, they take the initiative to preserve them. Different type of heritage tourism Cultural, historical, and natural assets that have been passed down from one generation to the next are referred to as heritage. Here are a five types of heritages tourism. 1. Natural Heritage 2. Cultural Heritage 3. Industrial Heritage 4. Religious Heritage 5. Historical Heritage **Natural Heritage** Natural heritage refers to elements of the natural environment that are considered valuable for their aesthetic, ecological, scientific, cultural, or educational qualities, and therefore deserving of preservation and protection for future generations.  **Examples of Natural Heritage **  National Parks, Wildlife Reserves, Natural Monuments, and Biosphere Reserves. **Cultural Heritage** Cultural heritage refers to the tangible and intangible assets, such as traditions, beliefs, practices, arts, languages, and knowledge, that are passed down from generation to generation within a particular community, society, or culture. It also includes tangible assets such as monuments, sites, objects, and artifacts that are important to a culture's history and identity. Cultural heritage is considered to be important for the preservation of a culture's unique identity and history, as well as for its educational and economic value.  **Examples of cultural Heritage** Cultural landscapes, archaeological sites, museums, and archives. **Industrial Heritage** Industrial heritage refers to the physical remains and cultural artifacts associated with the industrialization of a society. It encompasses the tangible and intangible evidence of the industrial past, including factories, mills, transportation systems, worker housing, and associated landscapes, as well as the cultural traditions, knowledge, and social structures that evolved in response to industrialization.Industrial heritage can serve as a valuable resource for understanding the economic, social, and technological development of a society and can be preserved for educational and cultural purposes. **Example of Industrial Heritage** Factories, textile miles, power station, transportation system **Religious Heritage** Religious heritage refers to the tangible and intangible cultural heritage associated with religious beliefs and practices. It encompasses a wide range of physical structures, cultural traditions, including temples, churches, mosques, shrines, religious paintings, sculptures, and manuscripts, as well as religious festivals, rituals, and oral traditions.  Religious heritage can be a valuable source of cultural identity and spiritual inspiration for individuals and communities and is often seen as having great historical, cultural, and architectural significance. The preservation of religious heritage can serve to promote intercultural understanding and respect for diversity and can play an important role in shaping a sense of shared cultural heritage. **Example of Religious Heritage** Vatican City, Temple Mount in Jerusalem, Great Mosque of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. **Historical Heritage** This type of heritage tourism refers to the cultural, architectural, archaeological, and natural assets that have been passed down from past generations and are considered significant for the history, identity, and cultural heritage of a society. These assets may include buildings, monuments, landscapes, artifacts, and other objects that have been preserved over time and have cultural, aesthetic, scientific, or other historical value.  Historical heritage is seen as a way to understand and connect with the past, and to preserve the cultural and historical legacy of a society for future generations.  **Examples of Historical Heritage **  Ancient ruins, castles, historic city centers, cultural landscapes, and museums. Impacts of Heritage tourism **10 Positive Impacts of Heritage Tourism 1. Economic Growth ** Heritage Tourism can provide a significant boost to  the local economy by creating jobs, generating  revenue through tourism related business, and  encouraging the development of infrastructure and  services.  **2. Preservation and protection of heritage  sites/heritage assets/national treasures ** Through tourism, historic sites, and landmarks  can be preserved and protected. If a historical site is  no longer economically viable through other means,  tourism can offer a sustainable solution to ensure that  important sites do not slip into disrepair. **3. Cultural exchange ** Heritage tourism promotes cultural exchange and  understanding by allowing visitors to experience  different cultures, traditions, and ways of life. This  can foster tolerance, acceptance, and appreciation for  diversity.  **4. Community Development ** Heritage tourism can contribute to the development  of local communities by creating communities for  entrepreneurship supporting small business, and  revitalizing neglected neigh borhood. **5. Education and learning  ** Heritage tourism offers educational opportunities for  both tourist and residents, allowing them to learn  about history, art, architecture, and local traditions  through interactive experiences and interpretive  programs.  **6. Increased pride and identity ** Heritage tourism can instill a sense of pride and  identity among residents as they showcase their  heritage and history to visitors reinforcing their  cultural heritage and values. **7. Environmental Sustainability  ** Heritage tourism often promotes sustainable practice  by encouraging responsible tourism and protecting  natural landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife habitats.  **8. Infrastructure Development  ** The need to accommodate tourist may drive  improvements i n infrastructure, including  transportation, accommodations and facilities which  can benefit both visitors and residents alike. **9. Source of Philanthropy and funding ** Heritage tourism can attract philanthropic support  and funding from individuals and organizations  interested in preserving and promoting cultural and  natural heritage site.  **10. Development/rehabilitation of heritage  buildings ** Rehabilitation of heritage buildings has become an  issue of great importance around the world,  particularly in the most developed societies. It is the  result of the need to improve existing building for  new conditions of use, and also of the recognition of  the importance of conservation of the architectural  heritage. **10 Negative Impacts of Heritage Tourism 1.Cultural Commodification ** Heritage Tourism can sometimes reduce cultural sites  and traditions into mere commodities and objects of  consumption, diminishing their significance and  authenticity.  **2.Overcrowding ** Popular heritage tourist destinations can become  overcrowded leading to increased pollution,  congestion and degradation of infrastructure and  natural resources. **3.Displacement of Local Communities ** In some cases, heritage tourism development can  result in the displacement and marginalization of  local communities as their traditional lands and  resources are taken over for tourism purposes.  **              ** **             4.Loss of Cultural Traditions ** The influx of tourism can sometimes lead to the  erosion and loss of traditional cultural practices and  customs as communities adapt to cater to tourist  expectations. **5.Strain on Resources  ** Heritage Tourism can place a significant strain on  local resources. Such as water, energy and waste  management leading to environmental degradation  and increased costs for locals.  **6.Increased commercialization ** Heritage tourism often promotes the expression of  commercial establishment such as Hotel, Restaurant  and souvenir shop potentially negatively impact in  visual and cultural aesthetic of destination.  **7.Loss of local control ** As a heritage site popular tourist destination, local  communities may lose control over their management  and decision making, leading of lack of ownership  and empowerment  **8.Economic leakage  ** In some cases, the economic benefits of heritage  tourism may not reach local communities, as much of  the revenue generated may leak out to external  stakeholders and large tourism companies. **9. Homogenization of Culture ** The demands of internal tourists may lead to a  homogenization of cultural practices and traditions as  communities cater to tourists preferences, potentially  eroding unique local identities.  **10.Inaccurate representation ** Heritage tourism can sometimes perpetuate  stereotypes and accurately certain culture leading to  interpretation and misunderstanding, further and  reinforcing existing power imbalance.