Nonlinear impact of World Heritage Sites on China’s tourism expansion

2020 ◽  
pp. 135481662090488
Author(s):  
Yu-Xia Lin ◽  
Ming-Hsiang Chen ◽  
Bi-Shu Lin ◽  
Shu-Yin Tseng ◽  
Ching-Hui (Joan) Su

Using domestic tourism data (1999–2014) and inbound tourism data (1999–2016), this research applies linear and nonlinear models to investigate the impact of World Heritage Sites (WHS) on inbound and domestic tourism expansion (TE) in terms of tourist arrivals and tourism receipts and then tests whether or not the impact of WHS on TE is instant. The results show a notable influence of WHS on tourist arrivals and tourism receipts and identify several differences between the impacts of WHS on inbound and on domestic TE. Moreover, the relationship between WHS and TE exhibits an inverted U-shaped curve. The optimal number of WHS for TE is four, and there is a significant instantaneous effect of WHS on domestic TE. Differently, the impact of WHS on inbound tourism shows a 1-year lag. Lastly, we perform dynamic regressions as a robustness check and discussion and implications are provided.

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-453
Author(s):  
Yu-Xia Lin ◽  
Bi Yang ◽  
Bi-Shu Lin ◽  
Bing Pan

Whether World Heritage sites (WHS) drive tourism demand is an ongoing debate. This study analyzes tourist arrival data at a provincial level in China from 1999 to 2014, and employs linear and nonlinear models to reexamine the relationship between tourism demand and the numbers of WHS. The results show that there is a significantly positive linear effect of WHS on both international and domestic tourist arrivals, and international tourism demand benefits more from WHS than domestic tourism. In addition, the effect of WHS on tourism exhibits an inverse U-shaped pattern where an optimal number of WHS exists. Finally, tourism specialization levels positively moderate the effect of WHS on tourism demand, and the relationship between WHS and tourism is not always positive.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-121
Author(s):  
Balaji Venkatachary ◽  
Vishakha Kawathekar

The widely recognized definition of ‘Cultural Landscape’ in current practice is borrowed from UNESCO as Combined works of Nature and of Man.1 They are complex entities consisting of multiple layering of built-unbuilt components including intangible cultural aspects. These components are interrelated and interdependent. The landscape evolves together through combined natural and cultural processes. In current discourse and practice of heritage management, value-based assessment is a widely accepted approach. Evaluation of cultural landscapes for its Significance and Value is a complex process that requires an understanding of interwoven layers of components and attributes.2 Systematic understanding of such relationships between components and attributes is still in its infancy. Amongst various such identified intangible agencies, this study chooses to explore music. A study of secondary sources was undertaken. Cultural landscapes nominated as World Heritage Sites and identified Indian sites were systematically examined to understand various components and attributes. Using the indicators from this study and the theoretical framework of sociomusicology, a research design was prepared. Recognizing the historical association of music with the sites on the Kaveri river basin in peninsular India, a reconnaissance study was undertaken for onsite validation. Musical associations were spatially mapped for analysis and the findings are presented. Systematic understanding of the relationships between components of a cultural landscape and intangible cultural traditions is still in its infancy. The undertaken study is an exploratory work that focuses on understanding the relationship between components of a cultural landscape and ‘intangible attributes’, especially music. A study of secondary sources was undertaken in two parts. In the first part, concept of cultural landscape has been explored. Cultural landscapes nominated as World Heritage Sites were systematically examined to understand various components and attributes. The knowledge helped in formation of indicators for evaluation of cultural landscapes. In the second part of the study, selected case studies of Indian cultural landscapes were studies with the developed indicators. Musical traditions existing in these sites were theoretically reduced to basic components and mapped for analysis.


Author(s):  
Vitalii Ivanunik ◽  
Halyna Krul ◽  
Stepan Bryk

This work aims to investigate the impact of popular UNESCO World Heritage objects on the country’s tourist arrivals as a factor of attractiveness, to estimate the strong correlation between these phenomena, and to mathematically validate the assumption that the number of such sites has a direct impact on the country’s tourism competitiveness. We used data from the UNWTO’s open sources, UNESCO, the World Economic Forum expert reports on the competitiveness of travels and tourism of the world’s countries for 2017. The analysis is based on three rankings of countries in terms of World Heritage assets, international touristic arrivals and the country’s tourism and travel competitiveness index, and correlation analysis between these values. Also, to determine the influence and interdependencies between the studied concepts, the method of paired correlation analysis was chosen as a convenient way to demonstrate the influence of one variable on another. Determination of the correlation coefficient allowed to speak about the complexity of the relationship and the linearity of these phenomena. In particular, the increase in the number of UNESCO World Heritage sites leads to an increase in tourist arrivals and makes the country attractive for tourism development. As a result, we have obtained estimates of the unidirectional impact of the number of World Heritage sites on the territory of a particular country on the volume of international tourist arrivals. However, not always the overall attractiveness and competitiveness of the country in the field of tourism is linked to the World Heritage, and our study only confirms the thesis that among the many ways to increase the attractiveness of the country, an increase in World Heritage sites leads to an increase in tourist traffic. In current trends, choosing public policy to enhance and preserve UNESCO sites one obviously can expect the growth of tourist flows to the countries.


2011 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-420 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor T. King ◽  
Michael J.G. Parnwell

Author(s):  
Sina Kuzuoglu ◽  
Stella Kladou

Heritage cities often build on their cultural assets to develop as destinations. Yet, the assets communicated to visitors usually present only part of the picture. Heritage cities often tend to possess a significant cultural value that is hidden from the prying eyes. This value is not only exhibited as tangible assets, but the accumulation of knowledge and experience in the culture-laden milieu is also central to the notion of heritage (Falser, 2015). Such intangible elements have found their way into international discussions in recent years (Vecco, 2010). Heritage cities, as living spaces, also embrace a cultural heritage inseparable from local communities, and in a broader perspective, from the whole of humanity. This perspective is central to the creation of World Heritage Sites (WHSs) seeking to protect the world’s heritage with Outstanding Universal Value under the umbrella of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) (1972). In this process, however, the heritage assets inscribed as WHSs are nominated by national governments which, upon inscription, become the primary entity responsible for safeguarding their integrity. The primary motivation for this research is the centralized governance structure in developing countries and how this affects the potential to achieve sustainability through tourism development. Turkey is an example of such a centralized system in regard to tourism and heritage management (Yüksel et al., 2005) which includes the WHSs. In Turkey, WHSs are not only effective tools to aid foreign policy (Atakuman, 2010) but are also integral to culture-driven tourism strategy (Ozturk & van Niekerk, 2014). Despite inconclusive evidence in the literature on the relationship between proliferation of tourism and WHS status (Jimura, 2011; Poria et al., 2013), Turkey’s proactive relationship with UNESCO may be interpreted as reaffirming the perceived linkage between WHS status and visitation.


Author(s):  
Yaroslava Borisovna Ditsevich ◽  
Roman Yur'evich Kolobov

This article reflects certain results of the research conducted within the framework of implementation of the scientific project No.0-011-00168, supported by the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, dedicated to comprehensive analysis of the international legal regimes for the protection of Lake Baikal. Emphasis is placed on the protection regime of the world heritage, realized on the basis of the cognominal convention. Recognition of the role played by the mechanisms for protection of the World Heritage in conservation of the unique ecosystem of Lake Baikal, the authors note that within the framework of Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage there are promising mechanisms that are currently did not receive due reflection with regards to protection of the lake. Such instruments include the list of world heritage sites that are under a threat; development of the plan for maintaining the world heritage site; strategic environmental assessment of planned activity that may negatively impact the site. The conclusion is made on the need for implementation of the following international legal mechanisms with regards to protection of Lake Baikal: inclusion of Lake Baikal into the list of world heritage sites that are under the threat, upon the initiative of the Russian Federation in case of construction of hydroengineering structures by Mongolia on the Selenga River without taking into account the priorities for preservation of the lake ecosystem; elaboration of the plan for protection of Lake Baikal as the world heritage site. The author also underlines the need to develop the plan that would become the means for harmonization of various legal regimes that ensure protection of the Lake Baikal. Attention given to the approaches towards assessing the impact upon the environment existing within the system of protection of world heritage. It is suggested to consider the recommendations of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources to conduct such assessment on World Heritage sites.


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