A Tourism Potential Index for Cultural Heritage Management through the Ecosystem Services Approach

Abstract

Tourism as a tool for the enhancement and conservation of heritage represents an opportunity for many managers of cultural properties. However, despite the numerous works developed so far on tourism governance, the elaboration of preliminary studies for decision-making in heritage buildings is still a challenge. Considering the ecosystem services approach, an index is proposed which allows tourism and cultural heritage managers to analyze and quantify the level of tourist exploitation (use) of a monument for the services (benefits) that it offers to society. In this paper, a multi-criteria evaluation system was proposed, related to the main use of the building and its relationship with various tourism components, which have been classified as cultural, leisure, recreational, lodging, catering, intermediation, transportation, and event organization. The model has been applied to the Parroquia del Mar (Alicante, Spain) of great cultural relevance, but not exploited for tourism. The results obtained demonstrate the usefulness and validity of the model, considered as a tool capable of bridging the gap between heritage conservation and its touristic use, highlighting the importance of the services offered as necessary attributes for its (re)valuation, combining the social benefits of its exploitation, its touristic use and the awareness of its conservation and protection.

A Case Study on the Danube Limes in Serbia: Valorisation and Cartographic Analyses of Selected Tourism Products

“…There is no single universally accepted method and fully comprehensive criteria for the valorization of heritage tourism [5,26]. The selection of methods for the valorization of sustainable development in tourism should provide a systematic method for the organizing, combining, and valorization of the defined indicators [9]. Under the methodology by Hilary Du Cros [5], tourist valorization of cultural assets in Danube Limes, Serbia can be covered by evaluating 29 indicators within the tourism and cultural assets management sector.…”

“…Planning and managing the process of protection for this heritage as the resource for the development of a local and broader community and improving the quality of life is necessary through the preservation of spatial context and the integrity of a historical location [1]. Apart from the historical, construction, aesthetic and ambience significance, the cultural assets also hold a societal value; tourism is the means for promoting culture and knowledge in a society [9].…”

“…Value of cultural assets implies the method of assets' use (utility value), attractiveness (formal value), and links to the community (symbolic value) [8,9]. "It is necessary to examine the relationship between the heritage and its value, tourism, and perception of the local community, as the host of the destination and the initiator of active participation in the cultural tourism development in their territory" [9,10]. The valorization of cultural heritage, subject to the requirements and needs of modern society, requires building awareness of heritage and social needs.…”

“…The activities related to the decision-making about cultural heritage preservation and incentivizing tourism development need to be attuned to the needs of individuals and their communities. The tourism values of cultural assets yield the possibility for the development of services that benefit society [9].…”

“…The historical and societal context of understanding the value, significance, and respect for cultural heritage requires an active consideration of topics on heritage and its greater inclusion in daily life. The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) stipulates: "The importance of cultural heritage preservation is implied not only from the perspective of the material heritage but also in the field of preservation and raising awareness on the heritage as the means for improving the livelihoods" [9,11].…”