Novel Research Shows 73% of Heritage Sites at Risk in Cultural Impacts of Tourism

Abstract

Today, cultural tourism accounts for a whopping 40 percent of overall global tourism and these visitor flows have incredibly strong cultural impacts on heritage sites worldwide. Though this surge in cultural heritage tourism brings along very significant economic opportunities, local communities and their traditions seem to be suffering from negative trends.Our research finds millennials are actively asking for historic and cultural places to visit while on their travels in 73 percent of locations. These challenges with interest come, however, with the growing interest. However, tourism is not always a good thing as you’ll find that it compodes local cultures, erode the socio cultural assets and create inauthentic products geared or targeted for tourists. It is clear especially when you visit places like Ethiopia where, although boasting with 12 UNESCO World Heritage sites, the country struggles to strike a balance between tourism development and a cultural heritage preservation.This article examines this complicated relationship between tourism and cultural heritage, on the one hand, examining the profit potential for it, and the effect of it on local traditions on the other. We will also research the types of sustainable tourism practice that can protect cultural heritage and benefit communities when visitors want to engage with their culture and history.