ABSTRACT
The authors examine several ways in which political boundaries may be viewed as cultural heritage and its tourism implications. They discuss the processes and forces in the heritagization of borders and the heritage manifestations of borders. Often, state boundaries commemorate major events and envelop national stories and narratives that underscore national identities and state solidarity. Six ways in which borders relate to heritage, or are viewed as heritage, are outlined. First, they often symbolize power and nationalism and educe senses of national pride, dominance, and exceptionalism. Second, borders are frequently localities of conflict, war, and discontent, making them significant laboratories for understanding a heritage of darkness, which then renders them important dark tourism destinations. Third, borders are also meeting grounds where unique heritages are preserved and events take place to create benevolent relationships between neighbors. Fourth, borders are frequently a source of local lore, stories, and heritage narratives through their role in the sociocultural, political, or economic development of border areas. Fifth, the border infrastructure elements themselves become tangible heritage landscapes. Finally, cross-border cultural resources, which may be classified as transboundary or transnational, are not uncommon, creating unique situations where shared cultural heritage to two sides of a border (or more) requires unique management actions and deep collaboration.
