The symbiotic relationship between Tourism and Heritage

By Javiera Muñoz and Diego Vargas

From the beginning, the human species has felt the need to wander. Because of our extensive
history, we witnessed the rise of the first civilizations within the past 12.000 years​1​.
Considering this, how does tourism relate to heritage sites?

One of the main motivations of tourism is mankind’s inherent curiosity to explore

heritage sites around the world​. These places are priced tourism assets that distinguish one
destination from another. Yet, as cultural attractions are unique and fragile by nature, it is
fundamental that tourism authorities study how to develop these sites while protecting and
preserving them for the long term​2​, like the Sistine Chapel, which has been damaged by
millions of tourists who come to admire the paintings on its roof each year because of flash
photography​3​.

The recent action plan adopted by UNESCO​ 4​ integrates a concern for sustainable
development, calling to “contribute to the sustainable development of the world’s
communities and cultures”.

It is our firm belief that we need to be a factor of change if we want to stop the damage of
heritage sites, and c​onsidering the previous information, we think tourism and heritage have
always had a symbiotic relationship, which both depend and rely on.

Sources:
1 ​
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History website CNN Business Traveller website
http://humanorigins.si.edu/education/introduction-human-evolution
2 ​
United Nations World Tourism Organization website
http://www2.unwto.org/publication/tourism-world-heritage-sites-challenges-and-opportunities
3​
CNN Business Traveller website
https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/08/travel/9-tourist-attractions-that-are-literally-dying/index.html
4 ​
UNESCO website. Article: Sustainable Development: World Heritage and Sustainable Development
https://whc.unesco.org/en/sustainabledevelopment/