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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Tourism, Culture, and Heritage".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 21391

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Richard W. Stoffle

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Guest Editor

School of Anthropology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, USA
Interests: ethnography; social and cultural anthropology; culture; ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Simon Larsson

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Guest Editor

Gothenburg Research Institute, Gothenberg University, Gothenberg, Sweden
Interests: governance and regulation in cultural heritage; preservation of cultural heritage in the management of natural resources; industrial heritage and culture in tourism

Dr. Kathleen A. Van Vlack

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Guest Editor

Applied Indigenous Studies, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA
Interests: cultural landscapes; Native Americans; heritage conservation; traditional ecological knowledge

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heritage preservation and tourism development are essential issues today according to most nations and UNESCO, who works to protect cultural heritage by safeguarding World Heritage sites, recognizing tangible and intangible heritage, and supporting the creative economy. Culture is the foundation of heritage, which is defined as a special attachment to objects, places, and landscapes.

The aim of this Special issue is to explore, through both data-based and document-based research, the challenge of sustainably preserving heritage areas while using promoting their use for economic tourism. Current findings show that these two aims are largely incompatible; thus, the articles submitted to this Special Issue should define the boundaries of preservation and tourism where both can sustainably persist.

Topics of interest for this Special Issue include the following:

How do local cultural groups and their places of heritage interact with tourists?
Can tourists wear out heritage places? How can we monitor the impacts of tourism on heritage sites?
If tourism profits support the preservation of heritage areas, then can heritage places survive without tourism?
Is Day and Night tourism increasing or decreasing heritage damage by doubling area use while greatly increasing profits?
Should tourism be regulated by frequency, type of tourist, or duration of stay?
Is development tourism sustainable or a misnomer?

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Richard W. Stoffle
Dr. Simon Larsson
Dr. Kathleen A. Van Vlack
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

heritage preservation
sustainable heritage preservation
cultural groups (ethnic peoples) and their heritage
culture tourism
economic development tourism

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

26 pages, 19036 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Community Capitals Framework for Sustainable Development: A Qualitative Study of Creative Tourism in Ban Chiang World Heritage Site

by Suparak Suriyankietkaew, Krittawit Krittayaruangroj, Sukanda Thinthan and Syamol Lumlongrut

Sustainability 2025, 17(8), 3311; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083311 - 8 Apr 2025

Viewed by 306

Abstract

This study explores creative tourism strategies in community-based tourism for sustainable development, focusing on the millennium-old Ban Chiang UNESCO World Heritage site in Thailand. It aims to uncover how creative tourism strategies support community-based tourism by optimizing development through cultural preservation, heritage revitalization, and sustainable outcomes. The research investigates how creative tourism approaches foster community-based tourism and how a community achieves sustainable socio-economic growth using the Community Capitals Framework (CCF). Using a qualitative case study approach, this research employs in-depth interviews, participant and non-participant observation, and document analysis to explore the interactions between creative tourism, community-based tourism, and sustainability. The findings reveal that creative tourism strategies can promote environmental conservation, cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and social well-being in Ban Chiang. This study highlights the successful development of strategies and collaborative actions by Ban Chiang’s community enterprise network for creative tourism progression, emphasizing multilateral stakeholder collaboration in enhancing community capital. The research proposes a model for creative tourism strategy and community capital development aimed at sustainability. It provides valuable insights for policymakers, practitioners, and local communities aiming to leverage creative tourism for sustainable development. By emphasizing the synergies between creative tourism and community-based tourism, it offers practical guidance for enhancing destination management, fostering community engagement, and promoting cultural and environmental conservation. This study bridges a critical gap in the literature by demonstrating how the CCF can be implemented to create positive impacts on creative tourism in heritage destinations such as Ban Chiang, presenting novel insights into its potential as a driver for positive transformation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development)

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16 pages, 2964 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploration of the Cultural Heritage Distribution Along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and Its Implications: A Case Study of Cultural Relics Protection Units in the Jiangsu Section

by Yu Liu and Huacheng Ge

Sustainability 2024, 16(24), 11248; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162411248 - 22 Dec 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1057

Abstract

The Grand Canal, the world’s longest artificial waterway, is a cultural treasure deeply embedded in China’s historical traditions. This study emphasizes the importance of safeguarding, preserving, and revitalizing this invaluable heritage to ensure its relevance. Guided by the “Regulations on the Protection and Management of the Grand Canal Heritage”, this research analyzed 276 cultural relics protection units within the Jiangsu section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (Jiangsu-BHGC). By applying spatial geographic analysis techniques, including point density analysis and gravity shift models, the study mapped the historical evolution, spatial distribution, and typological characteristics of these relics. Additionally, using ArcGIS and geographic detectors, the research explored factors influencing the distribution of these units, pinpointing critical determinants. This rigorous approach provides an in-depth understanding of the spatial arrangement of cultural heritage sites along the canal, supporting its coordinated development. By examining distribution patterns and key attributes, the study offers theoretical insights and data-driven guidance for optimizing the sustainable use of this cultural heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development)

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17 pages, 4572 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Taken from the Spirits and Given to the People: The Dance of the Panther Men in Côte d’Ivoire

by Simon Larsson and Syna Ouattara

Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9455; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219455 - 31 Oct 2024

Viewed by 1705

Abstract

The article explores the impact of tourism and commercialization on intangible cultural heritage, using the Boloye dance in Côte d’Ivoire as a case study. The dance, originally a secretive ritual performed by the Pɔrɔ society in the Sénoufo community, has transformed into a public cultural performance. The study explores how this cultural practice has been adapted to engage broader audiences without compromising its ritualistic and cultural integrity. This is carried out through fieldwork conducted in Korhogo, including participant observations, interviews with performers, and the analysis of social media content. The paper argues that the Boloye dance’s resilience and continued vitality are due to its dynamic adaptation within cultural boundaries, allowing it to serve both as a community resource and a public spectacle. This is enabled through the Sénoufo flexible cultural framework, which allows for the negotiation of changes within spiritually sanctioned boundaries. The article concludes that tourism and the commercialization of cultural practices, in this case, do not compromise the authenticity of the practices or the cultural integrity of the people who perform them. The case study challenges a commonly expressed view in previous research that tourism necessarily erodes cultural authenticity, showing instead that cultural practices can evolve while retaining their significance. The paper contributes to a scholarly and public debate on the sustainability of intangible cultural heritage in the context of global tourism and economic development and change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development)

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24 pages, 6751 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sustainable Tourism Development in Jeddah: Protecting Cultural Heritage While Promoting Travel Destination

by Sara Sampieri and Mohammed Bagader

Sustainability 2024, 16(21), 9148; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16219148 - 22 Oct 2024

Viewed by 3872

Abstract

For a long time, tourism in Saudi Arabia has been predominantly religious and business-related. In 2019, the kingdom opened its door to tourism for the first time. It produced a significant change in the tourism industry. This research explores the balance between heritage conservation and tourism development, focusing on social, environmental, and economic aspects. The methodology is based on qualitative analysis through 15 in-depth interviews and on-field observations, with Historic Jeddah as a case study. The results confirm that tourism has profoundly changed the city of Jeddah, facilitating new opportunities and presenting new challenges. So, the new aspects that emerge, such as heritage value, economic growth, overtourism, and the travel experience, impose a new management strategy for upcoming opportunities and also challenges. These aspects highlight the management and the authenticity of the place but also provide evidence of the high costs and scarcity of services. Sustainability seems to be the framework that can guarantee an equilibrium in the development process, reducing the impact on the cultural heritage. The originality of this research is to provide a view on this tension between heritage conservation and tourism development from the perspective of an emerging travel destination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development)

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27 pages, 13349 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heritage Tourism Development Should Take Care of Industrial Heritage Protection: A Study on the Development Strategy of Industrial Heritage Tourism in Nanjing

by Hechi Wang, Jianwei Ge, Xinxin Chen, Qi Zhou and Kehao Huang

Sustainability 2024, 16(19), 8534; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198534 - 30 Sep 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1721

Abstract

The tourism development of industrial heritage is an effective way to activate cultural heritage and can provide new solutions for the renewal and protection of industrial heritage. This study focuses on the industrial heritage in Nanjing, aiming to explore its spatial distribution pattern, tourism development strategy, and sustainable development model. This study adopts a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods. First, relevant information on 93 sites of industrial heritage type historic buildings in Nanjing is collected. Secondly, ArcGIS was used to visualize the evolution of industrial buildings and the spatial distribution of industrial heritage type historic buildings. Finally, the spatial analysis tools of ArcGIS and the accessibility analysis method in space syntax theory are superimposed to comprehensively analyze the spatial distribution pattern and traffic accessibility characteristics of Nanjing’s industrial heritage. The research results propose a specific plan to promote the value transformation of industrial heritage through tourism: based on the spatial distribution characteristics of Nanjing’s industrial heritage along the water system and traffic arteries, a tourist route of “multi-point, two-axis, one-center” is planned; the tourism development strategy of “point protrusion, linear links, and surface darning” is implemented; and a sustainable development model under the guidance of low-carbon environmental protection goals is explored. This study provides a reference for the protective development of industrial heritage and the expansion of tourism and opens up a new perspective for the regeneration and planning of other urban heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development)

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24 pages, 6881 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Heritage as a Driver of Sustainable Tourism Development: The Case Study of the Darb Zubaydah Hajj Pilgrimage Route

by Monica Moscatelli

Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 7055; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167055 - 16 Aug 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2564

Abstract

Heritage plays a pivotal role in sustainable tourism development along pilgrimage and historical routes, shaping the identity and character of these places. This study aims to investigate the relationship between heritage and tourism along the Darb Zubaydah pilgrimage route in Saudi Arabia, exploring strategies for developing sustainable tourism that preserves cultural and natural heritage while promoting local economies and community engagement. This research employs a mixed-method approach, integrating data collection and observational research along the Darb Zubaydah route, the main historic Hajj pilgrimage route connecting Kufa in Iraq to Makkah in Saudi Arabia. The chosen case study is analyzed through four heritage sustainable criteria: cultural, environmental, spatial, and economic development, through a cross-sectional analysis of the aspects related to safety measures and risk management. The results demonstrate that including the four criteria in the development of the pilgrimage route leads to defining strategic solutions to enhance this tourist trail for pilgrims, promoting the cultural landscape and heritage by strengthening the sense of identity via a sustainable approach. This study wants to contribute to Vision 2030 to enhance the development of tourism by revitalizing the Islamic, Arab, and national cultural heritage, offering insights into sustainable tourism practices that can be applied to other cultural routes globally. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development)

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15 pages, 3459 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Real-Time 3D Reconstruction for the Conservation of the Great Wall’s Cultural Heritage Using Depth Cameras

by Lingyu Xu, Yang Xu, Ziyan Rao and Wenbin Gao

Sustainability 2024, 16(16), 7024; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16167024 - 16 Aug 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1937

Abstract

The Great Wall, a pivotal part of Chinese cultural heritage listed on the World Heritage List since 1987, confronts challenges stemming from both natural deterioration and anthropogenic damage. Traditional conservation strategies are impeded by the Wall’s vast geographical spread, substantial costs, and the inefficiencies associated with conventional surveying techniques such as manual surveying, laser scanning, and low-altitude aerial photography. These methods often struggle to capture the Wall’s intricate details, resulting in limitations in field operations and practical applications. In this paper, we propose a novel framework utilizing depth cameras for the efficient real-time 3D reconstruction of the Great Wall. To overcome the challenge of the high complexity of reconstruction, we generate multi-level geometric features from raw depth images for hierarchical computation guidance. On one hand, the local set of sparse features serve as basic cues for multi-view-based reconstruction. On the other hand, the global set of dense features are employed for optimization guidance during reconstruction. The proposed framework facilitates the real-time, precise 3D reconstruction of the Great Wall in the wild, thereby significantly enhancing the capabilities of traditional surveying methods for the Great Wall. This framework offers a novel and efficient digital approach for the conservation and restoration of the Great Wall’s cultural heritage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development)

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24 pages, 29139 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Augmented Reality and Wearable Technology for Cultural Heritage Preservation

by Ali Ibiş and Neşe Çakici Alp

Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4007; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104007 - 10 May 2024

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 4416

Abstract

The main goal of this study is to provide a more interactive experience with AR technology and wearable devices compared to traditional preservation methods in order to protect, promote, and transfer cultural heritage to future generations. It aims to evaluate the usability of the developed AR application with SUS and WARUS analyses. During the research process, similar studies were conducted, street texture and historical buildings were examined, 3D models were created with terrestrial laser scanning, and an AR application was developed with the Unity3D program and presented for user evaluation. The findings of this research show that users can access historical and cultural information interactively, and that presenting historical places interactively contributes to conservation efforts by allowing users to gain more in-depth information. In the discussion section of this paper, the opportunities and limitations offered by AR technology and the wearable device through the ARKON application are discussed in a sustainable way in terms of usability. According to the research results, while usability analyses showed that user satisfaction was high, no significant difference was observed according to gender in the similar age group. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development)

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15 pages, 275 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tourism Development and Urban Landscape Conservation in Rural Areas: Opportunities and Ambivalences in Local Regulations—The Case of Spain

by José David Albarrán

Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 3973; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16103973 - 9 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1786

Abstract

This article analyzes local-level normative regulations aimed at directly or indirectly conserving the urban landscape in rural areas. Using a discursive analysis methodology on regulatory documents being enforced in a series of localities assigned to a tourism promotion program, the evidence suggests that promotional activity retroactively influences the phraseology of these municipal regulations. The results obtained point to the existence of perpetuating historicist approaches within the current regulations, which appear to largely derive from the search for success in the tourism market and the resulting benefits to the local economy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heritage Preservation and Tourism Development)

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