Heritage Tourism
Heritage Tourism
Heritage or Cultural tourism is a branch of tourism, adjusted towards the cultural heritage of the setting where tourism is promoted. The National Trust for Historic Preservation in the USA defines heritage tourism as "travelling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present."
Culture had been and is the main aim of travel. In the 20th century, several people have claimed, that culture ceased to be the goal of tourism; however, defined tourism as culture. Cultural attractions play a vital role in tourism at all levels, from the global tourist attractions of the world, its culture that strengthens the local identities.
Cultural heritage and art, since long past contributed to appeal as tourist destinations. In recent years ‘culture’ is discovered as a vital marketing tool to attract travellers with special interests in heritage and art. According to many experts on tourism; cultural heritage tourism is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry since there is a drift toward an increase of interest among tourists. This trend is evident in the rise in the volume of tourists who seek adventure, culture, history, archaeology, and interaction with local populace.
Cultural heritage tourism important for various reasons;
* It has a positive economic and social impact, it establishes and reinforces identity.
* It helps to preserve the cultural heritage, with culture as an instrument and it facilitates harmony and understanding among people.
* It supports culture and helps to renew tourism.
Cultural heritage tourism has a number of objectives that must be met within the context of sustainable development such as;
* The conservation of cultural resources, accurate analysis of resources,
* Genuine visitor’s experience,
* The stimulation of the earned revenues of cultural resources
Therefore we can see, that cultural heritage tourism is not only concerned with identification, management and protection of the heritage values but it must also be involved in understanding the impact of tourism on communities and regions, achieving economic and social benefits, providing financial resources for protection, as well as marketing and promotion.
Heritage tourism involves visiting historical sites. The overall purpose is to gain admiration of the past. It also refers to the marketing of a location to members of a diaspora who have distant family roots connecting there. Freely available travel also made heritage tourism possible for more people.
Another likely form of involvement is pilgrimages. Many Buddhists and Hindus from world over come to Sri Lanka to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic at Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and latter to Ramayana Trails. The Buddhists in Sri Lanka visits sites connected to Buddhism in India. Thus it differs somewhat from tourism in the usual sense. However, these trips are religiously and culturally important to them.
Lastly heritage tourism can be attributed to historical events that have been dramatised to make the more entertaining. For example a historical tour may use a theme depending on the requirements of the tourist. Heritage tourism focuses on certain historical events, rather than presenting a balanced view of that historical period. It may not always present accurate historical facts, as opposed to economically developing the site and the surrounding area. As a result heritage tourism can be seen as a blend of education, entertainment, preservation and profit.
Heritage Tourism in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is gifted with splendid, millennium old memorials and cultural artefacts in its ancient cities. The three demarcating points of the Cultural Triangle are; Kandy Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The eight world heritage sites are Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Dambulla, Sigiriya, the walled colonial city of Galle; and the nature’s heritage; the Sinharaja Rain Forest and the Peak Wilderness.
In this triangle, Sigiriya is known as the cultural tourism base. The most important archaeological and cultural site in Sigiriya is the other aspect that tourism could be developed. Its history is even challenged today; even the date of construction and the constructor is challenged by many leading historians and archaeologists for which the responsible authorities are silent.
With wide-ranging nature reserves and various cultural heritages, Sri Lanka has immense potential to create a new value added tourist products that cater to up market eco tourists. However, eco-tourism is not the total solution. The common drawbacks of eco-tourism are the misuse of wilderness by clearing forests. This uncontrolled eco-tourism handled by those who do not value nature has to be checked. Careful planning and managing are above all essential in promoting tourism development in cultural and archaeological sites and especially in the ecologically sensitive areas.
To encourage a balanced tourism industry, Sri Lanka is faced with many challenges. The following highlights some of the future tasks required to strengthen the tourism industry.
* Prepare policies and principles for tourism development in and bordering to coastal areas, heritage sites, ecologically sensitive areas, and national parks,
* Stipulate tourism objectives and alternative strategies; the existing mass tourism oriented marketing strategy should be adjusted to attract eco-tourists; who prefer specialised services and for them to gain life inspiring know how;
* Improve the existing transportation system to disperse tourism to a greater geographical region;
* To improve the existing level of accommodation, health and safety network, and especially the on-site facilities;
* Educate foreign tourists to be friendly and value local customs;
* Encourage community involvement in planning and managing tourism development, as small scale, single owner local operators are probably the best suited for eco-tourism provided they are adequately trained to understand the demand for eco-tourists.
* To develop the lesser known attractions and disperse to greater geographical region.
Ultimately, the carrying capacity is the key element of balanced tourism. Unrestrained growth in tourism can lead to diminish social and economic returns and threaten the eco-systems and cultural assets upon which they depend. Seeking a delicate balance between culture and nature preservation and tourism development remains a major challenge in promoting ecotourism to sustain development in Sri Lanka.
Heritage or Cultural tourism is a branch of tourism, adjusted towards the cultural heritage of the setting where tourism is promoted. The National Trust for Historic Preservation in the USA defines heritage tourism as "travelling to experience the places and activities that authentically represent the stories and people of the past and present."
Culture had been and is the main aim of travel. In the 20th century, several people have claimed, that culture ceased to be the goal of tourism; however, defined tourism as culture. Cultural attractions play a vital role in tourism at all levels, from the global tourist attractions of the world, its culture that strengthens the local identities.
Cultural heritage and art, since long past contributed to appeal as tourist destinations. In recent years ‘culture’ is discovered as a vital marketing tool to attract travellers with special interests in heritage and art. According to many experts on tourism; cultural heritage tourism is the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry since there is a drift toward an increase of interest among tourists. This trend is evident in the rise in the volume of tourists who seek adventure, culture, history, archaeology, and interaction with local populace.
Cultural heritage tourism important for various reasons;
* It has a positive economic and social impact, it establishes and reinforces identity.
* It helps to preserve the cultural heritage, with culture as an instrument and it facilitates harmony and understanding among people.
* It supports culture and helps to renew tourism.
Cultural heritage tourism has a number of objectives that must be met within the context of sustainable development such as;
* The conservation of cultural resources, accurate analysis of resources,
* Genuine visitor’s experience,
* The stimulation of the earned revenues of cultural resources
Therefore we can see, that cultural heritage tourism is not only concerned with identification, management and protection of the heritage values but it must also be involved in understanding the impact of tourism on communities and regions, achieving economic and social benefits, providing financial resources for protection, as well as marketing and promotion.
Heritage tourism involves visiting historical sites. The overall purpose is to gain admiration of the past. It also refers to the marketing of a location to members of a diaspora who have distant family roots connecting there. Freely available travel also made heritage tourism possible for more people.
Another likely form of involvement is pilgrimages. Many Buddhists and Hindus from world over come to Sri Lanka to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic at Dalada Maligawa in Kandy and latter to Ramayana Trails. The Buddhists in Sri Lanka visits sites connected to Buddhism in India. Thus it differs somewhat from tourism in the usual sense. However, these trips are religiously and culturally important to them.
Lastly heritage tourism can be attributed to historical events that have been dramatised to make the more entertaining. For example a historical tour may use a theme depending on the requirements of the tourist. Heritage tourism focuses on certain historical events, rather than presenting a balanced view of that historical period. It may not always present accurate historical facts, as opposed to economically developing the site and the surrounding area. As a result heritage tourism can be seen as a blend of education, entertainment, preservation and profit.
Heritage Tourism in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is gifted with splendid, millennium old memorials and cultural artefacts in its ancient cities. The three demarcating points of the Cultural Triangle are; Kandy Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. The eight world heritage sites are Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Dambulla, Sigiriya, the walled colonial city of Galle; and the nature’s heritage; the Sinharaja Rain Forest and the Peak Wilderness.
In this triangle, Sigiriya is known as the cultural tourism base. The most important archaeological and cultural site in Sigiriya is the other aspect that tourism could be developed. Its history is even challenged today; even the date of construction and the constructor is challenged by many leading historians and archaeologists for which the responsible authorities are silent.
With wide-ranging nature reserves and various cultural heritages, Sri Lanka has immense potential to create a new value added tourist products that cater to up market eco tourists. However, eco-tourism is not the total solution. The common drawbacks of eco-tourism are the misuse of wilderness by clearing forests. This uncontrolled eco-tourism handled by those who do not value nature has to be checked. Careful planning and managing are above all essential in promoting tourism development in cultural and archaeological sites and especially in the ecologically sensitive areas.
To encourage a balanced tourism industry, Sri Lanka is faced with many challenges. The following highlights some of the future tasks required to strengthen the tourism industry.
* Prepare policies and principles for tourism development in and bordering to coastal areas, heritage sites, ecologically sensitive areas, and national parks,
* Stipulate tourism objectives and alternative strategies; the existing mass tourism oriented marketing strategy should be adjusted to attract eco-tourists; who prefer specialised services and for them to gain life inspiring know how;
* Improve the existing transportation system to disperse tourism to a greater geographical region;
* To improve the existing level of accommodation, health and safety network, and especially the on-site facilities;
* Educate foreign tourists to be friendly and value local customs;
* Encourage community involvement in planning and managing tourism development, as small scale, single owner local operators are probably the best suited for eco-tourism provided they are adequately trained to understand the demand for eco-tourists.
* To develop the lesser known attractions and disperse to greater geographical region.
Ultimately, the carrying capacity is the key element of balanced tourism. Unrestrained growth in tourism can lead to diminish social and economic returns and threaten the eco-systems and cultural assets upon which they depend. Seeking a delicate balance between culture and nature preservation and tourism development remains a major challenge in promoting ecotourism to sustain development in Sri Lanka.
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