ABSTRACT
Building on the previous chapter, this chapter discusses a range of issues affecting the development of cultural tourism. Like all other forms of tourism, it is potentially a double-edged sword, capable of benefiting communities while also simultaneously having the potential to destroy the cultural assets that create the tourism product. Indeed, what is in the best interests of tourism may not be in the best interests of cultural heritage management and vice versa. The chapter begins with a discussion of the role of community and how cultural tourism can impact quality of life at four different levels of community: neighborhood, local, national and international. It then discusses how cultural tourism can enhance quality of life by providing a range of economic benefits, through conservation and adaptive reuse of heritage assets, and through the provision of leisure and recreational facilities. These benefits must be balanced against the potential costs, including over-use, overtourism, under-use and misuse of tourism assets. The chapter then discusses cultural commodification and the potential loss of authenticity and adversity of cultural assets. It stresses there is a fine line between presenting cultural tourism products in a manner that facilitates easy consumption and the over commodification of culture that results in trivial lionization, alienation of host communities and loss of any sense of authenticity. The concept of glocalization, thinking globally but acting locally, is discussed. It provides an opportunity for communities to become involved in tourism and to enhance cultural exchange. The chapter concludes with a number of suggestions about how to optimize benefits while minimizing adverse impacts.
