Finding a Balance Between Heritage Tourism and Conservation
Rodriguez Abril, Adriana (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052817666
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025052817666
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this thesis is to study the relationship between tourism and cultural heritage. Cultural heritage is often utilised as a tool to promote tourism in a particular area; however, if not done responsibly and a balance between both is not found, it can lead to a faster decline in the conservation state of cultural heritage sites. On the other hand, tourism can have a potential positive impact on heritage sites, as the increased influx of visitors encourages the local economy.
The theoretical framework primarily encompasses the concept of heritage tourism, as well as the ideas of cultural heritage and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Having a better understanding of these concepts helps to comprehend the sites that attract cultural tourists and the sites they visit. Secondly, the concept of heritage conservation, and more specifically, preventive conservation, is analysed. If the effects of tourism on heritage sites are to be analysed, it is essential to have a clear understanding of these concepts and, with them, how different tourism factors can affect tangible heritage.
Several research methods are employed in this study to gain a deeper understanding of the types of visitors interested in heritage sites and museums, what they want to experience, and how they want to experience it. For this purpose, a visitor survey was conducted (n=135) in which respondents were asked about their background, habits when visiting museums and heritage sites, and whether they would be interested in specific experiences.
Additionally, the professional perspective is also taken into consideration. For this purpose, a survey was conducted among professionals in the cultural heritage and tourism fields (n=31), followed by interviews (n=3). These helped to understand better the opinion and point of view of those already involved in the topic of study.
Finally, benchmarking was conducted considering different types of heritage sites and museums (n=9), which helped to identify the types of actions currently being implemented to attract visitors while simultaneously ensuring the protection of heritage.
The results of the theoretical framework, combined with empirical research methods, help determine a series of aspects that can promote heritage tourism without negatively impacting heritage conservation. A key factor would be education among the various stakeholders involved in heritage tourism, promoting a better understanding among them and leading to improved practices. Moreover, there is an interest in more interactive experiences, which, if well-designed, can help provide a richer and more immersive visitor experience while also protecting the tangible cultural heritage.
The theoretical framework primarily encompasses the concept of heritage tourism, as well as the ideas of cultural heritage and UNESCO World Heritage sites. Having a better understanding of these concepts helps to comprehend the sites that attract cultural tourists and the sites they visit. Secondly, the concept of heritage conservation, and more specifically, preventive conservation, is analysed. If the effects of tourism on heritage sites are to be analysed, it is essential to have a clear understanding of these concepts and, with them, how different tourism factors can affect tangible heritage.
Several research methods are employed in this study to gain a deeper understanding of the types of visitors interested in heritage sites and museums, what they want to experience, and how they want to experience it. For this purpose, a visitor survey was conducted (n=135) in which respondents were asked about their background, habits when visiting museums and heritage sites, and whether they would be interested in specific experiences.
Additionally, the professional perspective is also taken into consideration. For this purpose, a survey was conducted among professionals in the cultural heritage and tourism fields (n=31), followed by interviews (n=3). These helped to understand better the opinion and point of view of those already involved in the topic of study.
Finally, benchmarking was conducted considering different types of heritage sites and museums (n=9), which helped to identify the types of actions currently being implemented to attract visitors while simultaneously ensuring the protection of heritage.
The results of the theoretical framework, combined with empirical research methods, help determine a series of aspects that can promote heritage tourism without negatively impacting heritage conservation. A key factor would be education among the various stakeholders involved in heritage tourism, promoting a better understanding among them and leading to improved practices. Moreover, there is an interest in more interactive experiences, which, if well-designed, can help provide a richer and more immersive visitor experience while also protecting the tangible cultural heritage.