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The abandonment of inhabited places is a phenomenon widespread on a global scale that has spanned centuries. It has led to the birth of the so-called ‘ghost towns’. These lifeless sites dot the internal Mediterranean and European areas, testifying to the changeability of the human settlements. Through a vision that reverses the paradigm that epitomises the ‘ghost towns’, these places can be transformed from a problem into an opportunity for the development of the territories that host them. The main topic of this article is to present and update investigations performed on three abandoned settlements sited in Portugal, Italy, and Albania in view of their tourist exploitation, considering three different tailored strategies: underwater tourism, dark tourism, and heritage tourism. For each site, we analysed the site history, the abandonment causes, and the territorial-geological features, thus arguing for the possible valorisation and enjoyment approaches with special attention to digital technologies, which are highly underexploited in the sector. This study, which is part of an international research landscape still in the initial stages, falls within the BEGIN project (aBandonment vErsus reGeneratIoN), which aims to develop a multilevel methodological–operational protocol useful in regional, national, EU, and non-EU contexts for the dissemination of knowledge, conservation, regeneration, valorisation, management, and fruition of areas classified as a ‘ghost town’. The research findings can be useful for scholars, practitioners, and local entities entrusted to manage the abandoned towns. Furthermore, the methodological approach followed in this research can supply useful insights into aims to valorise and enjoy worldwide ‘ghost towns’.

Heritage tourism is an attractive destination for many people because it has its own culture and characteristics. The city of Penang is one of the world's cultural heritage destinations which is listed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO as a cultural heritage destination and has preserved the culture that has existed for a long time. The majority of tourists who visit Penang City come from Indonesia. This research aims to analyze the influence of authenticity on destination loyalty mediated by heritage tourism in Penang City and analyze how each variable influences each other, is related, and has a positive and significant impact to each other. This research uses quantitative methods by determining the sample using the purposive sampling method. Data testing was carried out using the PLS-SEM test to test the hypothesis and the influence between variables in this research. The results of the research show that the authenticity of Penang City has a positive and significant influence on destination loyalty with heritage tourism as a mediation for Indonesian national tourists in Batam City. This shows that the authenticity of Penang City influences tourists' travel interests.

The work was carried out during the war with great faith in Ukraine's victory over the invaders. Problem Statement and Purpose. The article examines examples of the work of centers of intangible cultural heritage (ICH), in which elements of the ICH have become tourist magnets for individual tourist locations. The potential of combining these locations into a modern tourist cluster is analyzed, which can serve as an example for other regions of Ukraine. Therefore, it seems logical to analyze the development of a tourism product, using the example of intangible cultural heritage, study the potential of existing tourist locations and design a model for their unification into a modern, attractive tourist cluster, which could become an example for other regions of Ukraine. The analysis should show ways to popularize intangible cultural heritage through tourism, which contributes to the socio-economic development of communities. The purpose of the article. The work examines in detail the achievements of the National Museum-Reserve of Ukrainian Pottery in the village of Opishnoy (Poltava region), as an example of the success of a mature enterprise in the tourism industry with more than 35 years of work experience since its creation, known not only in Ukraine, but also in the world. The tourism prospects of the center of folk culture in the town of Reshetylivka (Poltava region) as a result of the creation and activity of the All-Ukrainian Center of Embroidery and Carpet Making as the leader of this center are considered. A separate part of the Center's work is presented, aimed at the formation of tourist activities in the form of offers for leisure activities, master classes, and informal education, which meets the growing demand for the study of national culture and contributes to the formation of public communications. Results. Taking into account the experience of successful centers of intangible culture in the field of tourism in Opishnoy and the town of Reshetylivka, analyzing the reasons for less success in the field of the center of the village. Petrykyvky (Dnipropetrovsk region), the author is looking for ways to form a tourist cluster Opishne-Reshetylivka-Petrykivka, built on the basis of the use of elements of the ICH of these locations. This should have a positive effect on the socio-economic development of local communities, for which tourism can play the role of a «catalyst» of regional development, taking into account the sustainable existence of elements of the ICH. The processes considered in the article contribute to the unity of Ukrainian society around the preservation of its own national cultural heritage. The war greatly reduced the volume of tourist activity in Ukraine, but the industry shows flexibility and readiness to quickly restore its functions and, to some extent, adapted to the changes and demands of wartime. Diagrams, a map, and the author's photos are offered to visualize the presented material.

This article studies the potential of historical reenactment festivals as an increasingly popular hobby and way of life that revives the history and identity of medieval cities through crafts, costumes, and customs. Participation in these festivals educates people about the historical significance of their city and promotes community participation. Even though Veliky Novgorod can provide favorable conditions for large-scale events, there are no targeted projects for the development of historical reconstruction there yet. The resurgence of historical festivals after the decline caused by COVID-19 highlights the need for suitable venues to integrate re-enactments into Novgorod's event calendar. These events provide educational benefits through practical, live historical presentations and aim to balance historical accuracy and entertainment value. Historical reconstruction festivals can bring different benefits to the cities being cultural holidays and tools for urban regeneration, improving the global image of the city. Successful integration of historical reenactment festivals into the city's event agenda requires balancing the needs of redevelopers, the host city, and the local population.

Indonesia, recognized for its substantial tourism potential, has leveraged the iconic Borobudur Temple, a premier cultural heritage site, to bolster its international cultural diplomacy and marketing efforts. This study examines the impact of the Twin World Heritage cooperation program implemented by the Indonesian government through PT. Taman Wisata Candi, on visitor numbers at Borobudur Temple during 2018-2019. The program epitomizes a strategic approach to enhancing cultural relations by facilitating cross-border collaborations and the exchange of expertise in cultural preservation and promotion. Situated in Magelang, Central Java, the Twin World Heritage Program at Borobudur Temple has not only elevated the temple's global profile but has also served as a pivotal instrument in strengthening international cultural ties and fostering mutual appreciation and understanding across nations. The empirical data from this study reveal a notable increase in visitor attendance: domestic visitor figures rose from 3,663,054 in 2018 to 3,747,757 in 2019, while foreign visitor numbers increased from 192,231 to 242,082 over the same period. These findings affirm the program's efficacy in harnessing Borobudur's potential and generating significant socio-economic benefits across multiple sectors.

Mahikeng, the seat of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District and capital of South Africa’s North West province, has identified tourism as an economic driver based on cultural heritage related to Batswana, Boer, and British contestation. However, the colonial heritage is underutilised as visitors come to Mahikeng (formerly Mafeking) in search of experiences relating to the siege of Mafeking, the Anglo–Boer War, and the origins of the Boy Scouts movement but leave disappointed. This heritage has been downgraded in democratic post-apartheid South Africa as there is an agenda that seeks to highlight African cultural heritage, particularly relating to the anti-apartheid struggle. This formerly suppressed cultural heritage needs to be promoted as it is crucial to South Africa’s history, identity, and social cohesion. However, other heritages that are also important are falling by the wayside with the result that the country’s diversity as the ‘rainbow nation’ is being eroded, and heritage tourism opportunities, which could prompt Local Economic Development (LED), are missed. A more critical engagement with the colonial heritage by including African perspectives, critiques, interactions, and roles within the narrative is needed.

Battlefield tourism is a well-established niche in cultural and heritage tourism the world over. This paper explores the contested nature of a specific battlefield in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, where two separate museums exist to memorialise the same event, but from two perspectives. The Battle of Blood River (December 16th, 1838) remains a contested event in history books, portrayed from Afrikaner and AmaZulu points of view at the Blood River Heritage Site and Ncome Museum, respectively. People interested in visiting battlefields are slowly dying out, and if South Africa wants to take advantage of growing Battlefield Tourism in the future for surviving generations of those involved in these battles, a new approach will be necessary to sustain and develop this niche of cultural and heritage tourism in the country. This paper uses netnography to analyse the internet footprint of this historical event through the museums’ websites. The paper argues that a more balanced and two-sided perspective should be given at both museums to grow and develop the interest in battlefield tourism across South Africa and encourage mutual visitorship to both museums on the same battlefield site.

Waste management is a complex challenge for cities in developing countries, including Indonesia. This issue is particularly severe in heritage tourism areas, where unmanaged waste can affect the aesthetics and image of historic places. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the sustainability aspects of waste management using heritage visitors’ destinations and waste management operator areas of the Old City of Semarang. A quantitative method was used to achieve this objective, and data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, field observations, document reviews and analyzed using descriptive methods. The results showed that visitors had positive behavior and awareness regarding waste management. Furthermore, sustainable waste management was implemented but not fully realized across all aspects. This study offered various measures to improve sustainable waste management in area, including waste sorting, collaboration between stakeholders, and policy advocacy on sustainable waste management.

Çanakkale iline bağlı Ayvacık ilçesi 15.yy.’dan bu yana, Yörükler tarafından dokunan el yapımı halı üretimleri ile tanınan bir halı merkezidir. Ayvacık ilçesi dokuma halıların yanı sıra kültürel miras açısından da zengin bir bölgedir. 1980’lerde dünya el yapımı halı pazarında önemli bir yeri olan Ayvacık halılarının üretiminde son 20 yıllık süreçte ciddi bir düşüş yaşanmıştır. Bu çalışma, Ayvacık yöresinde halıcılığın günümüzdeki durumunu, halı üretiminde görülen gerilemenin sebeplerini ve halı üreticilerinin karşılaştığı güncel sorunları tespit ederek, yöreye ait büyük bir değer, bir kültür mirası ögesi, turistik bir ürün olan el halılarını sektörel bazda sürdürebilir kılmayı amaçlamaktadır. Bu çalışmada veriler, alan araştırması yöntemi kullanılarak elde edilmiştir. Araştırmadan elde edilen verilere göre; 2003 yılında Ayvacık’ın 34 köyünde halı dokumacılığı yapılırken, günümüzde bu sayının beşe düştüğü görülmektedir. Toplam 29 köy’de halı dokumacılığı terkedilmiştir. Halı üretiminin gerilemesindeki sebepler incelendiğinde; üretici ve üretim odaklı sorunlar, malzeme ve maliyet odaklı sorunlar, endüstriyel gelişim ve tüketici odaklı sorunlar ile pazarlama odaklı sorunlardan kaynaklandığı tespit edilmiştir.

Purpose – This study aims to analyse whether the impact of external factors on the average daily rate (ADR) varies according to the type of destination. The study measures the effects of length of stay, share of international tourism and seasonality on hotel rates for sun and beach tourism, city tourism and heritage destinations.. Methodology/Design/Approach –We collected monthly data from January 2021 to June 2023 and conducted a regression analysis to measure how international tourism, length of stay or seasonality differ by destination type and what impact these factors have on ADR. The data refers to the 106 tourist destinations defined by the Spanish Statistics Institute (INE). Findings – Increasing the length of stay has a positive effect on ADR for cultural heritage destinations. In all types of destinations, a higher share of international tourism increases ADR, but the effect is particularly strong for city tourism. Greater seasonality is associated with higher hotel prices and is particularly relevant for sun and beach destinations. Originality of the research –A better understanding of ADR determinants, depending on the different destination types, is important for hotel managers and those designing tourism policies at destination level.

Heritage tourism in Egypt, differentiated by its distinctive ancient wonders and cultural prosperity, has faced numerous challenges through its history, with political unrest, economic fluctuations, and, most recently, the global COVID-19 pandemic. This research paper investigates the dynamic interplay between planned and adopted resilience within the hotel sector in Egyptian heritage sites and their consequential effects on both social and economic sustainability. A quantitative research method was employed to empirically explore these dynamics. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 550 top and middle managers in hotels located in heritage sites, capturing insights into their perspectives on planned and adopted resilience. The collected data underwent rigorous analysis utilizing “partial least squares structural equation modeling” (PLS-SEM), providing a robust foundation for drawing meaningful conclusions. Findings from the research underscore the necessity of aligning planned and adopted resilience to generate sustainable social and economic performance. The synthesis of planned and adopted resilience was revealed to be pivotal in generating sustainable social and economic performance for hotels. This synthesis catalyzes the hotels’ ability to mitigate uncertainties, adjust to changing environment, and ensure long-term viability. This research might contribute to the current literature by suggesting industry-specific awareness for the reciprocal relationship between planned and adopted resilience in the hotel businesses and their combined influence on both sides of sustainability (social and economic). The findings provide actionable recommendations for hotel management, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to enhance resilience, foster social cohesion, and ensure the economic sustainability of heritage tourism in an everchanging environment.

Sumedang Larang Palace is the last Sunda Kingdom Palace in West Java today. This study aims to explore the supporting elements of the Sumedang Larang Palace as a tourist attraction for the Sunda Kingdom heritage in West Java. This type of research is descriptive qualitative research. The place of this research is the Sumedang Larang Royal Palace, located in the city of Sumedang. The primary data used in this study were obtained by interview, observation, and documentation. The results showed that the Nazir Waqf Foundation of Sumedang Prince mandated the Sumedang Larang Palace. In managing the Palace as a heritage tourism destination, it has been regulated in the organizational structure of the Foundation. Employee management is carried out by human resource management, who records, directs, supervises, and performs operations. Furthermore, through its management, the Foundation also maintains and adequately manages the collection of historical artifacts of the Sumedang Kingdom at the Geusan Ulun Museum. Resources are collected independently by managing palace assets. The Foundation also cooperates with external parties to organize and manage the Palace by involving the government, academia, the private sector, and the media.

This study examines how affective and cognitive image influence revisitation intentions to Borobudur Temple, with visitor satisfaction as an intervening variable. While previous tourism re- search has predominantly emphasized visitor satisfaction as the primary predictor of revisit intentions, there is limited research on the impact of affective and cognitive image on return intentions, particu- larly at cultural heritage sites in the new normal following the Covid-19 pandemic. Affective image sig- nificantly influences word-of-mouth recommendations and the intention to return, which holds critical implications for the sustainability of tourism destinations. Quantitative data were gathered from 204 non-probability sampled respondents, of which 82.8% were domestic tourists and 17.2% were overseas tourists. Contrary to earlier theories about destination cog- nitive image, this study challenges several hypotheses. It reveals that cognitive image does not signif- icantly influence visitor satisfaction or the intention to revisit. However, visitor satisfaction effectively mediates the relationship between affective image and revisitation intentions, but not with cognitive image. The study concludes with recommendations for decision-makers and suggestions for future research.

The current study aims and issues to investigate and interpret the relationship between cultural heritage tourism and intergenerational social mobility in the Hawraman region of Iran. Due to the conditions and requirements of the research, a mixed-method design has been selected to conduct the study. In the first phase of the research, a survey on the impact of heritage tourism on intergenerational mobility in the Hawraman region was conducted among 354 local community members. Using SPSS software, the data from this section were analyzed. Then, a grounded theory approach was employed to fulfill the aims of the research's second phase. Here, the required data was obtained from 17 "in-depth and free interviews" with native participants whose businesses were related to heritage tourism. The findings in the first part of the research show a significant correlation between heritage tourism as the independent variable and social mobility as the dependent variable. In the second part, 33 sub-categories and 12 major categories related to the impact of heritage tourism on social mobility were identified. The results indicate that heritage tourism has transformed the local economy in a way that has led to the social mobility of the current generation. This study has some useful implications both for policymakers and researchers to have a better image of heritage tourism establishments, their requirements, and impacts in the Hawraman region of Kurdistan province of Iran.

Appreciation on adaptive reuse historical buildings (ARHB) can be stimulated by visitor’s knowledge on historical and cultural background of the building, which later translated through their actual visitation; ultimately increase their revisitation and recommendation to others. The study aims to examine the effects of appreciation and knowledge towards actual visitation to ARHB from local perspectives. This study developed and empirically tests a conceptualized model based on 241 surveys collected among local visitors at two historical buildings reused as a restaurant and event space in Kuching, Sarawak. A Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) via Partial-Least Square (PLS) technique was adopted to test the hypotheses developed. The empirical findings were revealed; (1) visual elements of ARHB have significant effects on appreciation and actual visitation, (2) clarity purpose of ARHB have significant effect on appreciation but not on actual visitation, (3) appreciation have direct effects on actual visitation, (4) appreciation mediates the relationship between ARHB attributes and actual visitation, and (5) knowledge does not moderate the relationship between ARHB attributes and appreciation. The study outcomes provide additional insight on appreciation and knowledge in adaptive reuse historical buildings context in tourism and hospitality management theory and suggests, in practice, to adapt this ‘new light’ urban regeneration strategy for tourism development and sustainability.

Accelerating the construction of transportation networks has become an important bridge to promote the urbanization of heritage tourism destinations. Based on the development dilemma of tourism towns in northwestern China, this study collected the panel data of 10 cities in Shaanxi Province from 2006 to 2019 and used a panel error correction model to investigate the long-term and short-term relationships between heritage tourism and new urbanization. In addition, this paper establishes a regression model of the transportation network’s regulatory effect, revealing the extent of the impact of the transportation network on heritage tourism and new urbanization. The results show that (1) in the short term, the influence of heritage tourism on new urbanization is not remarkable, but in the long term, heritage tourism plays a positive role in facilitating new urbanization; (2) the short-term contribution elasticity of new urbanization to heritage tourism is less than that in the long term; (3) the regulatory effect of the transportation network rectifies the deviation caused by overdeveloped urbanization to moderate development in heritage tourism destinations.

Cultural heritage tourism is a multidimensional tourist activity because, apart from the advantages associated with practicing tourist activity, it is particularly associated with cognitive motives when it comes to practicing it, and even with discovering cultural identity. Such an activity has a specific value in relation to the adopted perspective. Researchers often attempt to determine the value that a tourism-related product has for the customer (tourist). Sometimes, it is defined as the value captured by the entity providing the tourism product. However, it is extremely rare for research to assess the social value of tourism. The aim of this work is to identify issues that can be used in measuring the social value resulting from cultural heritage made available in the form of a tourist product. The authors review the literature on cultural heritage and cultural identity, and then use a particular methodology to develop a tool for assessing social value. To develop their own research tool, the authors use the results of research conducted in 2021/2022 among managers of 70 cultural heritage tourism facilities in Europe. As a result, a tool was created that includes six statements that can contribute to the assessment of the social value resulting from the provision of material cultural heritage in the form of a tourist product. The reliability of the tool was estimated at 0.69 and its standardized rating at 0.71. The social value of cultural heritage, in the opinion of experts, achieved an average rating of 4.06 (on a scale from 1 to 5), with the 6-item version of the tool attaining an average rating of 4.10. Taking into account the usefulness of the proposed solutions, remember that the paper reflects only the European vision, which is one of many possible views.

The Cathedral of Valencia has kept an important relic since 1437: the Holy Chalice of the Last Supper. It consists of an agate cup, a gold stem, and a gemstone foot. According to a pious tradition, this cup is the one used by Jesus of Nazareth to institute the Eucharist. Tourists visiting Valencia Cathedral often doubt its authenticity. There are certain queries that pilgrims wonder about, some of which have not been studied in depth. For example: What is known about the family who owned the chalice? Why would Jesus use a gemstone cup instead of one made of glass, silver, or gold? Aimed at clarifying these concerns, the research methodology was essentially centered on a review of the literature. The main conclusions are the following: (i) The Cenacle belonged to a rich disciple of Jesus, who would have lent him a valuable cup of blessing. Quite likely, it was the family of Saint Mark, who had a close link with Saint Peter. (ii) It is unlikely that Jesus used a cup made of glass because this material was relatively affordable. By contrast, gemstone vessels were highly appreciated. This case study highlights the importance of promoting historic and scientific studies about Christian artworks as a pre-requisite to foster heritage tourism.

Despite the widespread distribution of Latvians globally, the importance of heritage language for cultural connectivity remains underexplored. This study explores the preservation of the Latvian language among diaspora communities, employing linguistic autoethnography, participant observation, and communication analysis to examine the interplay between individual experiences and institutional support in maintaining cultural identity. Drawing from the author’s bilingual Latvian–Lithuanian background and based on the example of a mixed Latvian–Lithuanian family living in Finland, the study highlights the role of the family strategy in using languages at home, the role of grandparents, as well as heritage tourism, music, and arts in strengthening cultural ties. Through linguistic autoethnography, the article captures the essence of personal and collective efforts to sustain the Latvian language. Participant observation in diasporan activities and analysis of communicative practices reveal how diasporan Latvians actively engage in preserving their linguistic heritage. The Latvian Language Agency’s initiatives, including supporting language schools abroad, publishing educational resources, and organizing summer camps, are critically examined. The study advocates for a unified approach that combines personal commitment and structured support, emphasizing the crucial role of both in the vibrancy of the Latvian language abroad.

The Institute of Geography and Earth Sciences at the University of Pécs, which serves as the foundation for our journal, maintains a longstanding partnership with Stellenbosch University, particularly with its team of dedicated geographers. This collaboration led to a visit from Professor Ronnie Donaldson, our guest editor for this issue, who joined us in May 2023 at our invitation. During his visit, in addition to delivering an insightful lecture on rural gentrification, the seeds of this special issue were sown, providing an exciting opportunity to showcase current research from the Small Town Research Unit of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies at Stellenbosch University, as well as other esteemed geography departments in South Africa, including Rhodes University, North-West University, and the University of Johannesburg.

The main objective of this paper is to perform a detailed analysis of the scientific literature on cultural tourism in rural areas through a bibliometric study of the papers indexed in the Web of Science database. The bibliometric analysis was carried out using performance analysis and science mapping techniques. Authors’ keywords and KeyWords Plus were analyzed using RapidMiner software, and VOSviewer software was employed to create category maps and visualize the evolution of keywords. Content analysis of influential publications was used to show the evolution of knowledge and discover the most current issues. The results show the evolution of publications on cultural tourism in rural areas and identify the most influential journals, articles, authors, institutions and countries, as well as the most important research topics in the field. The paper concludes with recommendations for future bibliometric studies and offers guidelines for further research on cultural tourism in rural areas.

The aim of this paper is to contribute to the scientific literature in the field of tourism in Latin America (Sucre, Bolivia was named a World Heritage Site (WHS) by UNESCO). This study analyses the relevance of the cultural motivation and emotional experience of the tourist to positively influence the image or the perceived value of the heritage site visited. The research shall also analyse other relationships, such as the positive effect of the perceived value on the loyalty of tourists and the influence of the visitor’s place of origin as a moderating variable in the formation of the image and loyalty to the destination. The analysis was performed by means of structural equation models (SEMs). The data were extracted through fieldwork consisting of interviews with visitors to the city. The results of the research revealed that the perceived value of a heritage destination not only depends on the functional and tangible aspects of the attributes but also on the emotional experience and cultural interest regarding the heritage site visited. Similarly, there is evidence of a relationship between perceived value and a loyal attitude and that it is moderated by the origin of the tourist, this being a great influence in the case of the domestic tourist.

Under the influence of tourism and globalization, heritage production presents a new landscape. As a crucial framework for interpreting heritage, Authorized Heritage Discourse (AHD) has profound significance in discussing its practice characteristics in this context. Taking cities along the Jiangsu–Zhejiang section of the Grand Canal as a case study and drawing upon policy text, this study explores the practice characteristics of AHD in the tourism context. Results indicate that the thematic practices of AHD encompass protection and management, ecological construction, cultural production and inheritance, touristification, infrastructure and services, and marketing and cooperation, forming a clustering pattern with touristification as the central theme. The spatial characteristics manifest as multi-scale practices ranging from global to regional to local, each corresponding to diverse thematic characteristics. This study deepens the understanding of AHD in tourism and advances the research progress of heritage tourism. It also provides practical references for the utilization of urban heritage and the management of heritage tourism.

This exploratory study investigates the challenges for the heritage tourism industries in the UAE by focusing on the strategies and policies adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to identify the business strategies, analyze the contextual challenges for service providers, and explore how providers managed these challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. A multi-case study approach is adopted with 12 renowned and leading heritage tourism providers (CEOc, managers, and relationship managers) Additionally, four tourism academics interviewed through qualitative semi-structured interviews. The data were obtained during the post-COVID-19 economic recovery period from January 2022 to November 2022. The protocols of the Delphi technique and the Template Analysis (TA) approach were combined to develop richer insights. Initially, the challenges discovered were thematically categorized under two levels, which were (i) Inconsistencies for Heritage Tourism and (ii) Appreciation for Heritage Tourism. As a result, subsequently, four multi-tiered themes (macro, meso, and micro level) emerged as a response to the current challenges: (i) Repackaging heritage tourism, (ii) Long-term safety measures for tourists, (iii) Organizational adaptation and innovation, and (iv) Creative recommendations. The novelty of this study is inherent in its contextualization of an under-explored area, concurrent analysis of a dynamic and lucrative sector, and methodological advancement through the embellishment of techniques. Based on the findings of this research, a contextualized framework is proposed that complements tourism theory and delivers credible implications for researchers, government planners, and tourism providers.

[Objective] Agricultural heritage systems represent the harmonious human-nature relationship developed through long history of agricultural practices. With residents as the key stakeholder in agricultural heritage sites, improvement of residents’ well-being is among the fundamental goals of sustainable development. With the potential to showcase the high ecological and cultural values of agricultural heritage systems, tourism is considered an important path for the sustainable development of agricultural heritage sites. Therefore, exploring tourism impacts on residents’ well-being is of great theoretical and practical significance in promoting high-quality development of agricultural heritage sites. [Methods] This study took Dayutang and Qingkou Villages of Hani Rice Terraces in Yuanyang County, Yunnan Province as case study sites. An evaluation index with a total of 18 indicators was constructed to measure residents’ well-being in agricultural heritage sites, including six dimensions of economic conditions, living environment, social relations, educational resources, health and safety, and conservation and development. A quantitative resident questionnaire survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews were engaged to measure and compare the level of residents’ well-being and tourism impacts on residents’ well-being. [Results] The results are as follows: First, the level of residents’ well-being in the agricultural heritage sites varied greatly, with the highest level of well-being at 0.8516 and the lowest at 0.2321, and the mean value was 0.5641. Second, factors such as participation in tourism development, annual household income, age of residents, and education level demonstrated significant effects on the level of residents’ well-being. Third, this study examined heterogeneity in the perceived impacts of tourism development among residents of different backgrounds. Perceived changes in economic conditions, living environment, and conservation and development demonstrated significant positive effects on the level of residents’ well-being. However, perceived changes in social relationships, educational resources, and health and safety had insignificant effects on the level of residents’ well-being. [Conclusion] Therefore, in the process of tourism development, local governments should encourage the intergration of new livelihoods to local residents’ traditional livelihoods and enhance their participation in agricultural heritage tourism, thus striving to achieve a balance for tourism development, agricultural heritage conservation and residents’ well-being.

Volunteer tourism has grown into a popular sustainable form of niche tourism. There is however limited research on the business model canvas and the challenges that volunteer tourism organisations in heritage settings face. The challenges that these organisations face have a large impact on the structure and functioning of their business. These challenges can be overcome with education, strong relationships with partners, and running an ethical programme. This study investigated the business model canvas and challenges encountered by volunteer tourism organisations in this unique setting in South Africa. An exploratory qualitative approach was followed, involving interviews with managers at seven volunteer tourism organisations. The results were analysed using content and thematic analysis. The results provided an increased understanding of volunteer tourism in South Africa, and provide recommendations for marketing, management and future research. The study is valuable to managers, and contributes to the current discourse on volunteer tourism as an emerging market segment.

Purpose – This study aims to investigate the effects of XR technologies on the behavioral intentions of disabled tourists using a modified Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Design – The model includes perceived trust, perceived control, perceived efficacy, and perceived enjoyment as determinants of technology acceptance by disabled tourists. The hypotheses derived from the literature were empirically tested. Methodology/Approach – The proposed model was tested by collecting data from 640 disabled tourists in Iran over a six-month period. An online survey was answered after watching two videos, representing the application of VR and AR. A quantitative method was applied, the PLS-SEM method was conducted to analyze the data. Findings – The model was significantly supported by the results on the determinants of attitudes of people with disabilities toward XR technology. Other than the effect of perceived efficiency on PEOU, all the hypotheses were supported, demonstrating the positive effects of each of factors on the attitudes of disabled tourists and their behavioral intentions towards XR technology. Originality of the research – This study significantly expands the academic knowledge on the fundamental factors affecting behavioural intentions of disabled tourists, as 15% of the world’s population. This is the first study to investigate these factors in relation to the disabled tourists and XR technologies. This study will provide insight to marketers and stakeholders on the behavioral intentions of disabled tourists.

Rice terraces are a time-honored agricultural feature that overcomes rough terrain and hostile growing conditions. In addition to playing an essential role in agricultural production and land conservation, rice terraces have been recognized as living cultural landscapes, important agricultural heritage, and popular agritourism destinations for their aesthetic, sociocultural, and environmental values. However, there is a lack of understanding of this emerging niche market, especially from outsider perspectives. To fill the gap, this study analyzes Google Maps reviews of seventy representative rice terraces in Japan based on a mixed-method content analysis, aiming to identify visitors’ overall experiences, seasonal perceptions, and the causes of negative experiences. The results indicate that the overall experience of rice terraces in Japan includes seven themes: agricultural landscapes, times and seasons, visual perception, accessibility and infrastructure, sense of place, Genfukei of Japan, and food. Visitors’ perceptions toward the four seasons of the rice terraces have distinctive characteristics and result in different satisfaction levels. The main reasons for negative experiences are farmland abandonment, lack of character, poor accessibility, and bad timing. Leveraging the power of netnography, the study sheds light on the sustainable development of agricultural heritage tourism through the introduction of rice terrace conservation initiatives in Japan and the exploration of rice terrace experience.

The purpose of this study is to examine the potentials of sacred groves and natural sites in order to harness them for tourism in local communities of Nigeria. Three communities in Inyi town were chosen as case studies: Umuome, Enugwu-Inyi, and Alum, using a purposive sampling technique. An ethnographic data collection method was adopted which involves in-depth interviews and direct observation. Grove locations were located and mapped using a geographic information system (GIS) in the research area. The secondary data was obtained from scholarly journals, books, theses, etc. The findings showed that the sacred groves and natural sites had exceptional value for cultural and eco-tourism. Existing literature reveals that no study has investigated the tourism dimension of the sacred groves. The implication of the study is that tourism aids in the preservation of sites' integrity. It shields the sacred groves from deteriorating and going into extinction. While this research will help researchers at the universities and research institutions that are seeking to carry out related research, it is more important to the government in that it will help other policymakers adopt a policy that promotes tourism in the sacred groves. Finally, the study recommends that sacred groves should be utiliz for tourism since it is a superior conservation alternative.

The purpose of the paper is to identify high-potential organizational forms and developmental prospects of archaeological tourism in the Russian Federation. Despite the obvious importance of archaeological tourism for cultural and educational touristic activities, it is still underdeveloped in Russia. The reason might be a vague doctrinal understanding of archaeological tourism features. Educational and protective essence of archeological tourism in the field of cultural heritage preservation seems to be underestimated. Furthermore, low involvement of the State in the development and promotion of archaeological heritage can be observed. Several forms of archaeological tourism development can be currently distinguished in the global tourist market, including Education and Research based Archaeological Tourism mainly non-profit oriented and Culture and Recreation based Archaeological Tourism commercial in its nature. The authors of the paper consider complex archaeological cultural sites in the form of Archaeological Parks to be one of the most effective forms of archaeological tourism development. Open Archaeological Funds are another high-potential organizational form aiming at preserving and promoting Russian cultural heritage. Government regulation and conceptualization of the archaeological tourism development are also required in order to specify means of archaeological tourism stimulation demand and mechanisms for facilitating interaction between subjects and removing existing obstacles.

Abstract Cultural heritage in Chinese qiaoxiang is constructed where Chinese and foreign cultures gather, connecting overseas Chinese with their country of origin. However, conflicts concerning this type of heritage comes out frequently, such as house reconstruction clash, host-guest conflicts and destructive competition in heritage tourism. The economic and cultural duality of heritage is perceived as the source of intrinsic contestation in heritage tourism, and conflicts related to different types of heritage may take on different appearances and causes. Extant tourism studies have generalised cultural heritage in Chinese qiaoxiang, neglecting the unique characteristics of the diaspora and their corresponding influence on heritage protection and utilisation, that makes the reasons for these conflicts remain unclear. By answering the basic question of what heritage is, this research proposes an analytical framework to understand the intrinsic contestation of cultural heritage tourism in Chinese qiaoxiang. The paper points out that the contradiction between ‘ancestral root culture’ and modernity and between flow and stillness is the trigger for intrinsic contestation. The paper also summarises the core issues in conflicts that need further discussion by answering the questions of ‘what is heritage’, ‘whose heritage’ and ‘how to interpret heritage’. The core issues include heritage selection and identification, the commercialisation of ‘home’, heritage interpretation and so on.

Abstract Ancient cities and towns are popular tourism destinations worldwide. In this paper, Guangfu Ancient City in Yongnian County, Hebei Province, China, is taken as the case study and the modified creative destruction model is applied as the analytical framework to evaluate the multiactor dynamics of heritage tourism development. A mixed method approach is adopted, including a local resident survey, in-depth interviews with staff of the Guangfu Ancient City tourism site and government officials responsible for the heritage conservation and tourism development of the site, and a review of online tourist reviews, relevant government documents and reports. Based on the modified creative destruction model, local residents’ attitudes towards tourism development, changes in tourist numbers, the level of business and government investments, and the motivations of different stakeholders in tourism development are assessed by synthesising on-site research, historical data and other materials. Then, the tourism development stages for Guangfu Ancient City are identified as the precommodification stage before 2006, the early commodification stage from 2006 to 2011 and the advanced commodification stage from 2012 to 2017. The findings indicate that with rapid increases in investments from both corporate and government sources and in the number of tourists, the attitude of local residents towards tourism development remained positive. The results show that instead of entering the initial destruction stage, Guangfu Ancient City is in the transition stage from advanced commodification to creative enhancement given the government’s dominant role in tourism development, the heritage conservation motives of tourism entrepreneurs, the benefits to residents from tourism development ensured by government policies, and the shift in tourist type to postmodern tourists with double demands. The applicability of the modified creative destruction model is further discussed, and policy and management recommendations are generated to support the sustainable development of Guangfu Ancient City after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Abstract Heritage is in essence dissonant, especially colonial heritage in postcolonial nations. Via questionnaire surveys and interviews, this study investigates Kulangsu in Xiamen, China, a colonial heritage site mainly developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, to unveil the local government’s authorised heritage discourse (AHD) of the site and how tourists perceive the colonial past of Kulangsu and construct their own heritage discourse(s). Results show that, when considering the colonial history of the site, neither the AHD promoted by the authorities nor the tourists’ lay discourses are necessarily negative. However, tension implicitly arises between the tourists’ demand for comprehensive heritage information and the authorities’ selective interpretation of the site. Although the AHD affects lay discourses to some extent, most tourists expect the authorities to present more complete and neutral information about heritage so they can reflect and forge their own conception of colonial legacies. From a critical heritage studies perspective, this tension reflects the power imbalance between the authorities and the tourists and reminds the authorities and heritage experts to rethink heritage tourism and conservation in terms of heritage interpretation. This paper, therefore, calls for additional reflection on the legitimacy of selective interpretation, which implicates a complex process of intricate reasoning that is underpinned by the power imbalance between the authorities and the tourists, ultimately resulting in an AHD.

Studying visitors’ experiences with cultural sites has been complicated by the availability of internet-connected mobile devices. Simply observing visitors on site is no longer sufficient since they can interact with a site offline and online: before, during, and after their visit. Furthermore, cultural sites are as much sites of cultural heritage as they are sites of tourism. To study such complex experiences, new approaches to the study of human interactions with cultural sites must be developed; these methods must account for the fact that the offline and online realms can no longer be considered separate. In this article, I introduce the method of the Instagram interview as applied in an Instagram ethnography, contextualized by my project on visitor experiences of a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, DC, where I interviewed visitors after their visit. The Instagram interview helps study a dispersed population that engages, through Instagram posts, with one physical location and its narratives, allowing conclusions about visitor experiences of the site and the role of Instagram in this context. When constructing the Instagram interview in a manner that corresponds to platform conventions, it produces personal, in-depth narratives about the interviewee’s experiences. Conceptualizing the experience of a memorial as expanding beyond the space and time of the site visit, the Instagram interview is suitable for holistically studying visitors’ complex experiences: before, during, and after their visits, as it recognizes that offline and online interactions with the site are part of the same experience.

Climate change and variability are among the most critical threats facing heritage sites across the world. However, despite the threats posed by climate change and variability on heritage tourism sites, there are limited research and management interventions to help build the resilience of threatened sites. South African national parks are home to numerous heritage sites, including unique ecosystems, prehistoric ruins and rock art, which are still undocumented. This research assesses the risks imposed by climate change and variability on heritage sites within selected South African national parks. Assessing and prioritising risk is important to designing effective conservation and preservation strategies. The participatory Climate Vulnerability Index was used to assess climate vulnerability on three heritage sites within Kruger, Mapungubwe and Table Mountain national parks. The research developed and used a seven scale semi-quantitative risk analysis tool to rank and prioritise the identified climate related threats. Survey questionnaires were administered to park visitors to assess their perceptions of climate change impacts on heritage sites. Discussions with key informants were also done using in-depth interviews and focus groups. The results show that the vulnerability of heritage sites to climate change was high at all sites. Warming temperatures, drought and flooding intense rainfall are the main climatic stressors. A SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely) action list for the identified critical climate related risks was developed. To build future resilience, the paper recommends changes in how threatened tourism heritage sites are presented to visitors, improved funding for the documentation of the impacts of climate change on the heritage sites and developing anticipatory action to manage potential impacts.

Churches in South Africa have a rich history. Church tourism is perfectly positioned to attract tourists to South Africa and forms part of heritage tourism. Church tourism involves tourists visiting sites of prayer and shrines for cultural, historical, and architectural reasons, but not specifically due to any religious motivation. Well-known church tourism attractions include the Notre Dame de Paris in Paris, the Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela, Ethiopia, and the Groot Kerk – Dutch Reformed Church in Graaf Reinet, South Africa. Data for the study was gathered through online questionnaires, resulting in the formulation of a new subdivision of church tourism, namely "church chasers". “Church chasers” generally do not travel specifically to visit churches. However, their decision to do so can be seen as secondary. They mostly spend time at churches during family holidays and weekend getaways. They find architecture, history, and sandstone buildings the most entertaining during a visit. The paper's main aim was to establish “church chasers” typical profile, behaviour, and motivation as a "new" kind of tourist pursuit by focusing on tourists visiting churches in South Africa. The broader aim was to determine whether “church chasers” as a subdivision of heritage tourism could revitalise small-town tourism in South Africa

Currently, smart tourism has been adopted by cities in many countries. But this concept has various meaning built on different point of view of the smart tourism initiatives. This paper aims to give contribution on conceptual model formulation for smart tourism in process approach, using heritage tourism as case study. A literature review using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses) was carried out to achieve an understanding of the term smart tourism itself, with reference to various literature from qualified journals. From the literature review, various terms related to the definition, objectives, characteristics, inputs and outputs of smart tourism will be obtained. A semantic process with content analysis method to help determine the dominant factors/variables as important objects of Smart Tourism. The model to be built describes the components that influence the smart tourism process. This model also considers some local values that are used in general and particular in tourism policies that have been implemented in Indonesia. These values are believed to have an influence and characteristic of the smart tourism model in Indonesia. In the end, the model also describes the expected results of the smart tourism process.

Abstract Once abandoned for more than three decades, vernacular settlements in Oman are now being progressively reinvested in to foster the country’s heritage tourism sector. The present research focuses on the emerging phenomenon of community-led initiatives for vernacular heritage rehabilitation and adaptive reuse in Oman. Through an examination of three case studies, its aim is to describe this process and its modes of action and discuss its effects on vernacular settlement transformations. A mixed research methodology was designed to include (A) analyses of relevant primary and secondary data, (B) documented onsite observations, (C) interviews with local community representatives and key players in the operations of rehabilitation, and (D) extractions and analyses of quantitative data from a hotel booking website. The research sheds light on unsuspected interrelations within and between the projects being implemented in these settlements and their operating modes. It reveals the focal role of a local community in a kind of ‘bottom-up’ management of its built heritage, coupled with a ‘horizontal cooperation’ between the three initiatives studied in this research. Moreover, it shows that a heavily centralised and top-down policy for the field of heritage conservation and management is among the main obstacles that hinder such initiatives. Furthermore, community-led operations of vernacular heritage rehabilitation are being undertaken under insufficient regulations in terms of land use, building restoration and adaptive reuse. In this context, the paper discusses some of the serious threats and concerns faced by such initiatives and proposes actionable solutions to mitigate these hindrances.

The purpose of the article is to present intangible cultural heritage as a resource for a special category of cultural and educational tourism, namely heritage tourism. The authors use embroidery and carpet weaving as examples of intangible cultural heritage. The methods used in the study include a review of foreign and domestic theoretical and methodological developments, analysis of best practices in the field of heritage tourism, field research, analysis of materials collected during a survey of locations and the authors’ personal experience of tourist products. The results of the study outline the development of heritage tourism based on a creative approach as well as strategic plans of the state regarding tourism development. Based on practical experience, the authors present general principles of designing tourist routes, where elements of intangible cultural heritage act as “magnets”. The analysis has indicated elements of intangible cultural heritage that can appeal to tourists under particular circumstances. The authors argue that the development of heritage tourism based on a creative approach to designing tourist products in the form of intangible cultural heritage should popularize it in the national tourism market and promote tourism destinations with intangible cultural heritage, such as embroidery and carpet weaving. These tourist destinations should be used not only to attract domestic and foreign tourists, but also to promote the Ukrainian culture.

Tourism is not only considered as a stimulator for the social and economic development for countries, but also it contributes in spreading peace and enhancing negotiation, comprehension, and exchanging cultures among people in the light of the increased tourist demand. Arab countries confronted fluctuation and instability in the number of tourist arrivals due to security disturbances, conflicts and the vanishing of peace opportunities. In this regard, this research reveals the urban features for some Arab countries in achieving peace tourism because it is considered as touristic destinations that enhance heritage tourism due to the existence of the whole touristic features. The study sheds the lights on both As-Salt (Jordan) and Constantine (Algeria) cities. For the purpose of highlighting the opportunities of peace tourism by its urban features for changing towards sustainability by adopting that combine tourism development, peace building, and heritage conservation in both Arab cities. The researchers also required the development of certain tactical techniques to attain clear results in the research, the study relied on qualitative research in reviewing many documents and research related to both tourism and peace. In addition, field investigations contributed to providing data and information during the period from (2015-2018), like that the observation and interviews conducted with the local community in both cities. Results of the research, represented mainly in the presence of opportunities for peace tourism, which are reinforced by the specificity of the urban characteristi cs of the two cities, and its clear role in establishing a culture of peace, understanding, dialogue and exchange of cultures, which requires defining a model for the relationship between the development of tourism, peace and heritage in the cities of Salt a nd Constantine and which is based on tourism planning with the effective participation of different stakeholders.

This study focuses on Aomori, a prefecture situated in the northern part of the Japanese main island Honshu. Riding on the popularity of time-slip-themed entertainment, Aomori began to brand itself as a place where people can experience a time-travel journey to the Jomon, the Japanese prehistoric era. Through this study, we investigated the practice of Aomori to incorporate fantasy in its heritage tourism. Mixed-method research was used to retrieve and analyze information about Aomori and its Jomon-themed time-slip tourism, including desk research and word frequency analysis. While selling fantasy in tourism is a not-so-new topic, the Aomori case shed light on the alternative strategy that regional areas can consider. The prefecture showed us the prospect to combine fantasy and the local culture to attract younger tourists and dedicated pop-culture fans to visit the local attractions. It also demonstrated the potential of thematic fantasy in heritage tourism, especially archaeotourism, often perceived as boring by the younger generation. Additionally, the Aomori case indicated the importance of tourism infrastructure, creative marketing, and innovation in heritage tourism. It further signifies the importance of speeding up digital transformation for the future of heritage tourism.

In many parts of the global South heritage is one of the major drivers for destination development. This case study builds upon the existing international scholarship on heritage as a driver for local economic development. The focus on the study is Mahikeng and the wider Ngaka Modiri Molema District in the North West province where there is a wealth of underutilised local cultural and heritage assets. This valuable asset base stems from the area’s history of multi-cultural interactions and with important historical events that occurred in the area relating to the colonial town of Mafeking; the Siege of Mafeking, the founding of the Boy Scout movement and the Anglo-Boer War (South African War); the life of David Livingstone; the life and experiences of prominent African leaders like Sol Plaatje and Dr (Ngaka) Modiri Molema; and, African cultural heritage. However, many heritage assets in the area are underutilised due to the peripheral location of the town, poor marketing and low visitor numbers, as well as, poor maintenance. Arguably, Mahikeng and its surrounds enjoys a rich heritage asset base which offers latent opportunities for a future expansion of heritage tourism and an expanded contribution of tourism for the local economy.

The tourism industry often views heritage as a commodity rather than a way of conserving resources. This paper clarifies the challenges faced by Community-Based Tourism (CBT) from the perspective of heritage resources consumption caused by tourism development with the aid of a countrywide database. Hierarchical clustering and principal component analysis are performed on 549 communities endorsed by government and non-government agencies. The results reveal three major clusters: nature-based ecotourism, group of buildings and historical district-based shopping tourism, and cultural landscape-based agritourism. These clusters share resource-based interests and perspectives on tourism management. Each cluster exhibited the identity of CBT, was associated with local management, and represented how individuals interpret their heritage. This data helps and supports tourism policy changes at both local and national level.

This study examines the complexities of cultural-heritage management in Vietnam and the various tensions that arise within initiatives promoting “authentic” versions of cultural practice. In particular, this research investigates local perceptions concerning the commodification of the Cham New Year (Rija Nâgar) at temple-tower complexes, and explores the implications of sacred religious holidays (ngày lễ) that are organized as festival (lễ hội) events. Arranged by local Vietnamese officials, the implementation of these events for tourists contradicts important Cham worldviews, leading to negative perceptions of tourism among community members, and fears that such practices pose irrevocable damage for Cham spirituality and the future of their ancestral heritage. This research underscores the importance of community involvement with respect to decision making in cultural-heritage management, and that heritage tourism in Vietnam, and Southeast Asia more generally, may be dramatically improved with guidance from indigenous voices and local spiritual leaders.

As heritage is the precious treasure of human society, heritage also carries the genes of culture. It is of vital importance to effectively develop heritage tourism resources and explore the mechanisms that influence tourists’ cultural identity. This study has integrated the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework with the attitude-behavior-context (ABC) theory to construct a hypothetical model of heritage tourism aesthetics, tourist involvement, mental experience, and cultural identity so as to figure out their relationships. The questionnaires were collected to investigate the impact paths and mechanisms between heritage aesthetics, tourist involvement, mental experience, and cultural identity. The structural equation model was used to examine the relationship between heritage tourism aesthetics, tourist involvement, mental experience, and cultural identity. The main findings include: (1) the positive impact of aesthetics driving mental experience and cultural identity is significant; (2) the impact of tourist involvement on mental experience and cultural identity is also significant; (3) the impact of aesthetics on cultural identity is not significant, but mental experience mediates the relationship between aesthetics and cultural identity in heritage tourism. This study provides a new research framework and perspective for the aesthetics, tourist involvement, mental experience, and cultural identity of tourists in heritage tourism. This study also provides practical implications for government culture sectors to propagandize culture and for heritage destination managers to better manage heritage sites.

Bibracte is described as a well-managed property with significant heritage value. Even as the site’s managing body and its partners continue to deliver encouraging and engaging projects, there are barriers to success. Thus, the primary purpose of this study was to identify and analyze the possible future challenges that the current management may encounter. This study used a field work methodology, and comprised interviews, observations, guided visits, discussions, discourse analysis, and the review of an important corpus of material, from which conclusions were drawn. Significant problems arising from various causes were identified. The results reveal that despite the appropriate heritage management, interpretation, and tourism development practices, the heritage and tourism potential remain not fully captured. The management of the site has established its notoriety as an important research center for experimental and educational archaeology, rather than as an important tourist attraction. Thus, the site has failed to become a popular tourist destination. These difficulties are said to have been molded and enforced by imperatives connected to the site and its surroundings, as well as the Réseau des Grands Sites de France title. This research may contribute to elucidating heritage sites and their unknown management difficulties, which will be beneficial to the sites’ employees and visitors.

ABSTRACT: This article discusses the structures of value propositions in cultural heritage tourism site business models in the context of the concept of open innovation. The objective of the study is to identify value propositions in tourism sites and the tendency of managers to use open innovation. The analysis was based on the example of European cultural heritage tourism sites associated with the European Route of Industrial Heritage. The research process included literature analysis and empirical research in the form of interviews conducted with managers of 73 sites. The research allowed for identifying 16 key values observed in the business models of cultural heritage tourism sites and then classify them into three groups, i.e., values proposed to the customer, values captured by the enterprise and social values. The following values were of the highest importance: promotion of historical industrial heritage, satisfying cognitive needs, acting as a symbol of the area, brand strengthening and organization of tourist traffic, so that the industrial heritage is preserved. It was noticed that some values were significantly correlated with the attitudes of managers towards the exchange of knowledge within open innovation. The majority of managers participating in the research were convinced that the revitalization of cultural heritage sites and the business models of these sites should be in the form of open innovation. The limitation of the research carried out is the inability to deepen the interviews, which was caused by the lack of direct contact with managers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Affected by multiple factors, differentiated capital investment and power games have led to the uneven regional development of rural areas at cultural heritage sites. Therefore, it is urgent to reflect on the spatial equity and justice of heritage sites from the perspective of social space. This study took the territorial function of rural areas (TFRA) as its research objective, utilizing the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site—the Qinshihuang Mausoleum—and the Qianling Mausoleum and the Qiaoling Mausoleum in Shaanxi Province as cases. Based on the theory of spatial production, an index system of TFRA was constructed using social and spatial dimensions. Factor analysis and social–spatial differentiation indices were employed to identify the spatial structure and differentiation of TFRA. The results show the following: (1) the case areas reflect eight principal components, and these components have obvious spatial differentiation characteristics; (2) the principal components related to heritage display and utilization have had a sustained impact over the past decade, which have driven the development of related industries, but the scores of principal components related to the restrictions of heritage protection have been decreased; (3) six functional type zones are designated, and the spatial pattern of TFRA presented a concentric circle with a core-periphery structure, which is influenced by heritage protection zoning; (4) high-value-added functional spaces form and expand along transportation lines; (5) the inherent demand for capital proliferation is the fundamental driving force for the differentiation and evolution of TFRA at heritage sites. Based on the results of the above analysis, strategies of coordinated development between society and space are proposed to address the issue of uneven regional development at heritage sites.

Over the past decades, 360-degree virtual tours have been used to provide the public access to accurate representations of cultural heritage sites and museums. The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to a rise in the popularity of virtual tours as a means of engaging with locations remotely and has raised an interesting question: How could we use such experiences to bring the public closer to locations that are otherwise unreachable in real life or not considered to be tourist destinations? In this study, we examine the effectiveness of promoting engagement with a city through the virtual presentation of unknown and possibly also inaccessible points of interest through a 360-degree panoramic virtual tour. The evaluation of the experience with 31 users through an online questionnaire confirms its potential to spark curiosity, promote engagement, foster reflection, and motivate users to explore the location and its attractions at their leisure, thus enabling them to experience it from their personal point of view. The outcomes highlight the need for further research to explore this potential and identify best practices for virtual experience design.

Purpose – This study evaluates prospects of using ecotourism industry to advance community livelihoods in Musina Municipality, Limpopo, South Africa. Design/methodology/approach – Using questionnaire surveys, interviews primarily, supplemented by focus group discussions and interviews, primary data has been collected reflective of the potentiality of ecotouristic activities in Musina Municipality. To a lesser extent, field observations contribute to these primary sources. Extra insights are obtained through documentary reviews (secondary sources). Data is analyzed using quantitative statistical techniques supplemented by qualitative approaches. Findings – The study confirmed substantial ecotourism potential of the Musina Municipality and that this potential is manifest irrespective of geographic and demographic factors. However, the study reports a low current ecotourism impact in the Musina Municipality with consequential minimal benefits accruing to the enhancement of the standard of living in the local community. An inference is made that the key gap area impeding the realization of ecotourism potential in the Musina Municipality is the absence of a well-articulated tourism strategy linked to the sustainable economic development of the communities involved. Several fruitful initiatives for ecotourism consonant with local factor endowments are proposed. Originality/value – Although, taken in topical isolation, matters of community livelihoods and sustainable development have been increasingly coming to the forefront of research on tourism, few studies have taken a holistic approach predicated on the integration of community livelihood and sustainable development roles of various forms of ecotourism in community development within many rural areas. This study represents the first case study employing an integrated approach to analyze ecotouristic potential of rural Musina Municipality, one of the driest areas in the far North of Limpopo Province, South Africa, characterized by low standard of living juxtaposed with high touristic potential.