LESSON 3: BENEFITS OF HERITAGE TOURISM
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Explain the economic benefits of Heritage Tourism.
2. Discuss other benefits of Heritage Tourism.
BENEFITS OF HERITAGE TOURISM
Heritage tourism protects historic, cultural, and natural resources in towns and cities by
involving people in their community. When they can relate to their personal, loc al, regional, or
national heritage, people are more often motivated to safeguard their historic resources. Heritage
tourism educates residents and visitors about local and regional history and shared traditions.
Through involvement and exposure to local historic sites, residents become better informed about
their history and traditions. Understanding the importance of one’s heritage provides continuity
and context for a community’s residents, and it strengthens citizenship values, builds community
pride, and improves quality of life.
Economic Benefits
The creation of new jobs in the travel industry at cultural and historic attractions and in
travel related establishments.
Opportunities can arise to develop local economies to be more entrepreneurial and self-
reliant.
Revenue from tourism can be directed to local
infrastructure improvement.
Increased revenues and taxes.
Economic diversification in the service
industry (restaurants, hotels/motels, bed and
breakfasts, tour guide services),
manufacturing (arts and crafts, souvenirs,
publications), and agriculture (specialty
gardens or farmers markets).
Encouragement of creative entrepreneurship
Souvenir shops in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur. It
and local ownership of small businesses.
indicates the role of tourism as part of the local
Investment in historic properties and economic development.
subsequently increased property values.
Revenue from tourism can be reinvested in documentation, planning, and management
of heritage assets. This is important for the sustainability of assets that attract heavy
visitation.
Increased economic return from heritage and cultural tourism.
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LESSON 3: BENEFITS OF HERITAGE TOURISM
Other Benefits
Increased preservation education
Heritage tourism increases the visitor’s preservation knowledge in numerous ways. The
heritage tourist often discovers the basic ideas and principles of historic preservation by visiting
a historic site where the ideas of historic preservation may be presented. Many visitors may not
understand the importance of character defining features o f a historic building until they see
examples first hand, such as heart-pine floors, decorative woodwork, interior plaster walls, or
original wood windows.
Increased preservation ethics
As a historic resource benefits from heritage tourism efforts, the e ntire community gains
an increased awareness of the importance of saving local historic resources. Historic sites that
have a large number of visitors, are well-maintained, and authentically portrayed will benefit a
broader audience by having a variety of programming that appeals to different audiences. As your
audience broadens and more people begin to identify with the resource, the chances are better
for the overall preservation ethic to increase among visitors and the local population, who
ultimately could be involved in the site’s long-term preservation.
A replica of the Amber Room in St. Petersburg,
Russia. This was constructed to showcase the Michelle Obama in the White House
grandeur of the Russian Empire. entertaining visitors. The tour also includes
how the White House is being preserved and
protected against terrorism.
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LESSON 3: BENEFITS OF HERITAGE TOURISM
Name: Grade:
Year & Section:
ACTIVITY #1
Essay
Instructions: Write your answer on the space provided.
1. Choose 1 (one) economic benefit of Heritage Tourism. Expound further its meaning.
2. How do tourism activities affects developments in infrastructures and facilities? Give only 1
example.
3. What is the role of tour guides in educating tourists when visiting heritage tourism sites? Why
are they important?
4. Why is ethics important in maintaining and preserving our heritage?
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