Are World Heritage Sites Always Driving Tourism Demand?

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-453
Author(s):  
Yu-Xia Lin ◽  
Bi Yang ◽  
Bi-Shu Lin ◽  
Bing Pan
Keyword(s):  
Nonlinear Models ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
Tourism Demand ◽  
Ongoing Debate ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Linear Effect ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Shaped Pattern

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.

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
Keyword(s):  
Nonlinear Models ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Optimal Number ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Domestic Tourism ◽  
Inbound Tourism ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Instantaneous Effect

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.

Understanding the Relationship between Component and Attribute of Cultural Landscapes: Case of Indian Music and Cultural Landscapes

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-121
Author(s):  
Balaji Venkatachary ◽  
Vishakha Kawathekar
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Landscape ◽  
Cultural Landscapes ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
Peninsular India ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
Systematic Understanding ◽  
The Relationship

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.

The Puzzle of Tourism Demand at Destinations Hosting UNESCO World Heritage Sites

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (4) ◽  
pp. 521-542 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Ribaudo ◽  
Paolo Figini
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Tourism Demand ◽  
Unesco World Heritage ◽  
Average Growth ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Market Growth ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Managerial Implications ◽  
Tourism Flows

The study develops a comprehensive picture of tourism demand trends at UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHSs) with the aim of providing evidence of any growth in demand for specific destinations after the listing of their sites. In contrast to previous literature, this article focuses on the smallest statistical unit (the municipality) to examine WHS impact on the destination. Analyzing 16 Italian WHSs, we show the most relevant trends in hospitality demand, comparing tourism flows at destinations before and after listing. Data show that, on average, growth rates of tourism demand in the 5 years after WHS listing are not higher than growth rates in the 5 years before the listing, but a number of different patterns emerge. The policy and managerial implications of such findings are straightforward: at least for a mature destination like Italy, there is no statistical evidence that WHS listing is associated with accelerating market growth rates.

Challenges to sustainability in prospective world heritage sites

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sina Kuzuoglu ◽  
Stella Kladou
Keyword(s):  
World Heritage ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
Cultural Value ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Tangible Assets ◽  
Outstanding Universal Value ◽  
National Governments ◽  
The Relationship

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.

Perceived Authenticity and Place Attachment: New Findings from Chinese World Heritage Sites

2021 ◽  
pp. 109634802110276
Author(s):  
Xiaoli Yi ◽  
Xiaoxiao Fu ◽  
Kevin Kam Fung So ◽  
Chunhui Zheng
Keyword(s):  
Place Attachment ◽  
Southern China ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Heritage Management ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Intangible Heritage ◽  
New Findings ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Building on previous research that claims tourists’ perceived authenticity is an antecedent to place attachment, this study explored the relationship between the two theoretical constructs. Specifically, the mechanism between perceived authenticity, place attachment, and loyalty was empirically tested. The data were collected at Kaiping Diaolou and Villages, and the Old Town of Lijiang, two UNESCO heritage sites in southern China. Contrary to previous studies, the findings indicate that (1) perceived authenticity can be an antecedent to place attachment, (2) across both sites, tourists’ perceived authenticity of architecture or intangible heritage exhibited various effects on different components of place attachment, (3) the constituents of place attachment significantly influence loyalty, and (4) place attachment mediates between perceived authenticity and loyalty. This study provided a refined understanding of the dynamics between perceived authenticity and place attachment and offered practical implications for heritage management and marketing.

scholarly journals Kalòs kai agathòs? government quality and cultural heritage in the regions of Europe

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Bertacchini ◽  
Federico Revelli
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
World Heritage ◽  
Regional Government ◽  
World Heritage Sites ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Government Quality ◽  
World Heritage List ◽  
Unesco Site ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractThis paper uses panel data on over 200 regions of Europe during the years 2010–2015 to study the relationship between the quality of institutions and the capacity of local authorities and stakeholders to effectively protect and support cultural heritage, using new designations in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a proxy. Besides analyzing the spatial distribution of World Heritage sites across European regions, we test whether the location of a region matters for the chances of obtaining a new UNESCO designation by controlling for the stock of World Heritage in the surrounding regions, and whether low regional government quality is an obstacle to inclusion of sites into the List. While we can detect no significant spill-overs from the stock of World Heritage in surrounding regions, we find evidence that local government quality matters for the chances of a region gaining a UNESCO site designation.

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