Cultural Tourism as a Tool for Sustainable Development of Rural Areas

Abstract

The monograph represents one of the results of the joint University of Maribor and University of Montenegro research groups in the frame of the bilateral project BI-ME_21-22-020, partially funded by Slovenian Research Agency ARRS and Montenegrin Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports. In 6 chapters, it addresses the problem of uneven tourism development, which could be reduced by further development of cultural tourism. Both, Slovenia nad Montenegro, have rich and diverse cultural heritage, which represents an important tourism resource. Research conclusions show that the key to the future successful development of sustainable tourism in both countries lies in the design and upgrading of cultural tourism experiences. The monograph combines a range of authors, disciplines, approaches and methods, thus, proving once again that tourism is a very rich and diverse interdisciplinary field.

Exploring Cultural Expression's Effectiveness in Nigerian Tourist Destinations for Enhanced User Experience

“…This form of tourism exhibits and records the evolution of historical events, thereby establishing a basis for forming local and indigenous identities. According to Christopher and Olatunji (2009), individuals are motivated to engage in tourism due to the essential elements of history, culture, and people. These factors prompt individuals to venture beyond their typical place of residence in pursuit of leisure, rejuvenation, and unique encounters.…”

“…The expressive potential of culture is widely recognised through literary, performing, and visual arts (Christopher & Olatunji, 2009). The literary and performing arts field comprise non-physical attributes, such as ways of life and distinct communal traits, that can be exhibited through celebratory events.…”

“…Tourism is the purposeful travel of one or more groups of people to a place to experience new things, driven by the desire for pleasure, experience, or relaxation. (Christopher and Olatunji, 2009;Camilleri, 2018;UNWTO, 2023). This form of recreation is a break from daily life routine and offers various benefits, especially for communities lacking in basic necessities.…”

“…Culture reflects a group's life, encompassing lifestyles, beliefs, ways of life, food, and clothing shared by all members (Christopher & Olatunji, 2009). According to Bennett (2015), It is a 'complex whole' encompassing knowledge, beliefs, art, morals, attire, and behaviours.…”

“…According to Christopher and Olatunji (2009); Devidze & Gigauri (2015) and Qiu et al (2022), tourism plays an important role in effectively showcasing and promoting cultural heritage, which in turn increases the allure of towns, cities, and nations. It encourages originality, transformation, and the finding of solutions to longstanding problems, such as the maintenance of indigenous culture, arts, crafts, and traditions, and it makes cultural engagement and interrelationships easier to achieve.…”