Heritage and sustainable development: capacity building through tourism

Abstract

Heritage protection becomes an ever-greater challenge due to constant and numerous threats by natural elements and the sole passage of time. This deterioration is increased by other stress circumstances such as economic, social and development pressures, climate change, war, social and religious conflicts, and a number of other factors related to heritage use. Heritage and historical landscapes should be preserved not only because of their role as an important testimony to bygone times and the source of a spirit of place, but because heritage and culture are important factors of territorial and economic development. Moreover, tourism is one of the sectors of economy that could improve the conservation of heritage and maintenance of cultural diversity. The study will facilitate an author review to complete the picture of the current situation and to find gaps; a documental analysis in order to capture the main concepts, compile the risks and opportunities from selected international and European documents as well as interviews with selected heritage stakeholders and professionals in relevant fields.