Cultural Heritage Tourism

When we think of a tourist what usually pops into our mind is people tanning at the beach, staying at ritzy hotels, and site-seeing.  Now there is a new breed of tourist: the cultural heritage tourist.  Cultural heritage tourism, although not a new concept, has swept the world with more and more people taking these types of vacations each year.  In this article we will take a look at why it is so popular and the life long advantages that can come from exploring other cultures.

We often look upon people different than us as “strange” or “wrong” but the problem is that we don’t understand them or their history.  When we attempt to learn about other cultures it helps us relate to them and realize that they are more like us than we ever imagined they could be.  Cultural heritage tourism takes this concept to the next step and goes beyond knowledge to experience.  Tourists personally experience the history and customs of  these other cultures which allows them the chance to interact with the present people of that nation or region and turn everyday errands, like going to the market, into chances to learn and grow socially.

Another advantage of cultural heritage tourism is the ability to explore ones own cultural background first-hand.  It is one thing to learn about your heritage through books or family pictures but it cannot compare to experiencing it yourself.  It may even be liberating for some, help to give them a new sense of pride, and make them feel as if they are a part of something special.  It may also give them a chance to feel a sense of belonging if they were raised in a culture very different from their own.

There may even be cultural heritage tourist opportunities in one in their very own country.  For example, an American from Minnesota may want to travel south to New Orleans and eat red beans and rice and explore the bayou.  They may want to visit New England to participate in one of the various heritage workshops on colonial Americans and experience how they lived.  Or they many want to go west and visit places that have preserved or re-created towns of the old west when cowboys roamed on horseback.  With this many different opportunities in ones own country just imagine how many different types of cultures there are to explore worldwide.

There are also several positive advantages for the city or community who attracts cultural heritage tourists.  First, It is excellent for the local economy as this type of tourist stays longer and spends more money than other types of tourists.  It also helps to preserve the local customs and uniqueness of the community as well as allows them to experience people of another nation or region. 

The advantages of cultural heritage tourism last not only though out the individuals lifetime but can be passed down to younger generations who might not have chosen to have an experience like this on their own.  A parent or grandparent who has embarked on such a journey can sit down with their kin many years later and share their stories, interactions, and pictures.  They can teach their children and grandchildren what they learned about the culture and what they experienced during their visit.  It may even encourage them to become a cultural heritage tourist and allow the positive cycle of experiencing and sharing to begin again.

Written by J Bonner