BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES OF HERITAGE TOURISM IN THE CONSERVATION AND MANAGEMENT OF CARIBBEAN HERITAGE
By: Samantha Z. L. Alleyne, HIST 6711 Caribbean History and Heritage
Heritage tourism is often seen as
synonymous with cultural tourism, historical tourism, arts tourism, nature
tourism or attractions-related tourism (Nurse 4). It is the branch of tourism
oriented towards the cultural heritage (both the tangible and the intangible)
of the location or destination in which the tourism occurs. Heritage tourism,
encompasses natural heritage, such as caves, nature reserves, gardens and
marine parks, as well as built heritage, like museums, monuments and historical
buildings. It also observes cultural events, festivals, performing arts and
other forms of popular culture.
Heritage tourism brings to the
Caribbean more than the concept of “Sun, Sea and Sand”, and with that, aids in
the development of these countries. However, with every positive comes a
negative and we will evaluate some of the benefits or advantages and
disadvantages of heritage tourism, especially as it relates to the conservation
and management of that heritage. “Some argue that the globalization of heritage
through tourism has led to a greater respect for (both material and living)
culture than previously existed” (Salazar and Zhu 240), and it is now seen as
an important innovation and a new source for competitive advantage in the
global tourism industry. When we look at the major heritage attraction of
Trinidad and Tobago, it is not a tangible site, but the intangible experience of
Carnival and their many other festivals.
The most noticeable feature that
this type of heritage tourism brings, is an economic one, and it is understood
that funding is an important factor in maintaining or managing and conserving
any type of heritage. Carnival may be the incentive to come to the island, but
tourists and visitors will be exposed to other aspects of Trinidad and Tobago’s
culture as well. Promoting the heritage of island, but also strengthening the
capacity to safeguard this heritage, “has proven to add value by serving as one
of the main driving forces to preserve and strengthen indigenous cultural
identity while at the same time making a positive contribution to social and
economic development” (Orozco 2017).
This is just one example of how
heritage tourism can contribute to the conservation and management of heritage.
Other benefits would include: the strengthening and improving of heritage
structures, as seen with the Seville Great House and Heritage Park in St. Ann’s
Jamaica as well as the Good Hope Great House in Trelawny as a result of the
increased visitor numbers. Building of infrastructures, roads and signs to
promote access and visibility of heritage sites; generating employment, whether
through jobs or new businesses, both within and outside the heritage industry;
increased community pride and awareness in heritage, reintroducing individuals
to their cultural roots, growing interest into their own history and culture,
creating shared traditions that can be passed on to younger generations, are
additional benefits. However, probably most importantly would be the
strengthening and preservation of these heritage resources by means of its
protection and sustainability for continued use.
Though we can count a number of benefits
to the application of heritage tourism in the Caribbean, there are some
disadvantages that should be noted. As much as it may provide opportunities for
conservation and preservation, there is an equal chance of it causing more harm
than good as seen most predominantly with cases of natural heritage. According
to UNESCO “cultural tourism can encourage the revival of traditions and the restoration
of sites and monuments. But unbridled tourism can have the opposite effect.
Here there is a real dilemma. Is there not a risk that the boom in cultural
tourism, by the sheer weight of numbers involved, may harbour the seeds of its
own destruction by eroding the very cultures and sites that are its stock in
trade?”
One example is the damage caused to
coral reefs, as seen in Bonaire and other Caribbean territories. The increase
of snorkelling and diving activities and cruise ship pollution is compounded by
the chemicals from sunscreen leaching into the water and disrupting the
reproduction and growth cycles of the coral, ultimately leading to bleaching
(Zachos 2018). This shows the physical impact of tourism on our natural
heritage. Natural Heritage parks where tourists travel off the dedicated paths
and trample the foliage for what may seem a good photo opportunity, depleting
over time the same natural environment they have come to see, is another
example.
Another consideration is the concept
of authenticity, integrity and interpretation in the management of the heritage
being consumed. We must first remember that heritage tourism is foremost a form
of tourism and hence there is always the risk that tourism will be promoted
over preservation especially where it is seen primarily as an economic
resource. The commercialisation of heritage thus focuses on the interest of
tourists and the tourism providers, neglecting narratives that relay the true
meaning of the site or object displayed. “Another reason for the lack of
sufficient safeguards to protect the values of heritage properties is to be
found in an underdeveloped understanding, and therefore lack of appreciation of
the heritage value of precious cultural or natural resources by both local
communities and tourists. This is particularly an issue in developing countries
where tourism is often considered the primary source of economic growth and the
reduction of poverty (Salazar and Zhu 243).
Without proper management, heritage
tourism can lead to a lack of understanding and appreciation of the culture and
heritage of the place within the wider community as a result of inadequate or
inappropriate presentation; it can diminish the protection and conservation of
cultural heritage overtime without the adequate integration of cultural
heritage protection and management laws at the national and regional level; and
certain tourism activities can unconsciously or inadvertently encourage theft
of cultural resources and properties (Brooks 2001). There are a number of
concepts that can pose for or against heritage tourism, but inevitably it is
the way forward and with careful consideration of all the issues and
implementation of adequate management plans it can be a prominent economic
resource but more importantly it can bring awareness to the heritage within the
local communities instilling a sense of pride and cultural identity that they
may not have previously understood or known.
Works Cited
Brooks, Graham. “Heritage at Risk from
Tourism.” ICOMOS, 2001, https://www.icomos.org/risk/2001/tourism.htm. Accessed
November 2018
Nurse, Keith. Development of a
Strategic Business Management Model for the Sustainable Development of Heritage
Tourism Products in the Caribbean. The Caribbean Tourism Organisation, 2008.
Orozco, Julio. “Carnival: When
Culture Attracts Tourism.” Association of Caribbean States, 2017, http://www.acs-aec.org/index.php?q=sustainable-tourism/carnival-when-culture-attracts-tourism.
November 2018.
Salazar, Noel B. and Yujie Zhu. “Heritage
and Tourism.” Global Heritage: A Reader. Edited by Lynn Meskell. John Wiley
& Sons Inc., 2015.
“Sustainable Tourism: Part
Threat-Part Hope.” World Heritage, vol.58, 2010.
Zachos, Elaina. “Here are some
alternatives to reef-damaging sunscreen.” National Geographic, 2018, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/features/
sunscreen-destroying-coral-reefs-alternatives-travel-spd/.
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