ABSTRACT
The historical relationship between heritage and tourism has been tightly intertwined, with roots dating back to the Grand Tour in the eighteenth and ninteenth centuries. This tour by European aristocrats served as the prototype for modern tourism, spreading knowledge through travel literature. Tourism has also played a significant role in nation-building, using heritage sites to shape national identity. However, the dominance of tourism has transformed the relationship, often supplanting heritage's civic and national functions. Tourism's expansion into a global industry has made it an economic lifeline for many, accounting for a significant portion of local and national economies. Nonetheless, the rapid growth of tourism has led to the commercialisation of heritage sites and the transformation of their relationships with local communities. The “touristisation” of historic cities has led to both wealth generation and social disruption. Overtourism has emerged as a challenge, leading to conflicts between locals and visitors. Strategies and frameworks, such as the UNWTO‘s Convention on Tourism Ethics and UNESCO's Visitor Management Assessment & Strategy Tool, have been introduced to address these issues. As tourism remains a critical resource, striking a more sustainable balance between heritage and tourism will require concerted efforts from international bodies, industry, and civil society.
