ST 3

Introduction

Nature and culture obviously fascinate us, as eco-tourism, cultural tourism, lifestyles of indigenous people, industrial heritage, survival tours and expeditions, are attracting an increasing number of tourists.

Visiting natural and cultural heritage takes us back to the roots of civilisations, teaches us to (re-)experience the past and gives us an impression of our planet’s fascinating natural and cultural variety.

At the same time, biodiversity and ecology are being jeopardised worldwide. Even natural heritage sites like national parks are under growing pressure due to growth of populations, indiscriminated economic growth, and uncontrolled tourism development. Many cultural heritage sites also have to deal with adverse impacts of the growing numbers of visitors, which too often results in the loss of the enchantment and peace that formed the very heart of the site’s attraction. But many natural and cultural heritage sites would welcome tourism as a source of badly needed income.

Tourists are getting more experienced and, consequently, demanding. They seek new, high-quality experiences, want to discover new dimensions and require an overall high level of facilities and services. Value for money, combined with the quest for quality, is the order of the day.

Due to these developments, the approach of management of heritage sites has been undergoing dramatic changes. Integrated management of natural and cultural heritage sites is an approach that deals with the sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage, aiming at a synergy between conservation and development goals. It pays special attention to the communities that live in and around natural and cultural heritage sites and tries to enhance the quality of life in those communities. It tries to co-operate with other stakeholders like the tourism industry, farmers, logging companies, governments, and NGOs.

Learning objectives

Having studied tourism management of natural and cultural heritage sites, part 1 students:

  • have a general understanding of biodiversity and its importance for our planet and its people (ecology, economy, health, food, safety, tourism and recreation etc.) and they are able to explain biodiversity and the relationships between the items mentioned;
  • are familiar with the basic principles of ecology and with the main ecosystems
  • have a general understanding of important ecosystems and of the main possible threats of tourism development and –activities for these systems
  • have a general knowledge of the importance of natural heritage tourism at a global level, including destination countries, travel flows, quantitative and qualitative developments etc.;
  • have a general knowledge of the importance of cultural heritage tourism at a global level, including destination countries, travel flows, quantitative and qualitative developments etc.;
  • have a thorough knowledge of ecotourism and other forms of tourism related to natural heritage sites (NHS);
  • have a thorough knowledge of tourism related to cultural heritage sites (CHS);
  • have a thorough insight in qualitative and quantitative segmentation criteria for target groups for both NHS and CHS
  • have a general understanding of the of the world of natural heritage (classification of sites, debates, actors etc.);
  • have a general understanding of the of the world of cultural heritage (classification of sites, debates, actors etc.);
  • have a general understanding of economic impacts and revenues of both natural and cultural heritage tourism;
  • are to communicate effectively at a mangement level with conservationists, management and staff of NHS and CHS, and other relevant actors.

Having studied tourism management of natural and cultural heritage sites, part 2 students:

  • know the principles of integrated heritage management;
  • can identify all stakeholders involved in planning and management of heritage sites;
  • know how to integrate stakeholders and communities in planning and management of heritage sites;
  • know how to optimize economic revenues for all stakeholders;
  • are able to analyse the tourism development potential of sites;
  • understand the concepts of carrying capacity and limits of acceptable change;
  • are able to identify the elements of a management plan for heritage sites;
  • are able to develop a marketing plan for heritage sites;
  • are able to develop a visitor management plan.

The course is structured according to the following scheme:

Contents

  1. General introduction
  1. Introduction natural heritage
  • biodiversity, ecology and protected area management
  • specific problems of natural heritage in developing countries;
  • economic analysis of natural heritage
  1. Introduction cultural heritage
  • cultural heritage conservation and management
  • specific problems of cultural heritage in developing countries;
  • economic analysis of cultural heritage
  1. Links with tourism

            4.1 Natural & cultural heritage sites and sustainable tourism development
            4.2 Dealing with tour operators
            4.3 Guidance, tourism information and education
            4.4 Natural and cultural heritage and regional and city marketing

  1. The principle of integrated heritage management (IHM)
    1. Strategic planning and quality heritage management
    2. Integrating stakeholders and communities in IHM
  • conservation issues and local communities;
  • synergy between sustainable development of natural and cultural heritage sites and of local communities;
  1. IHM & visitors management strategies

           6.1        Site analysis

  • Assessment carrying capacity, limits of acceptable change (LAC)
  • Asessment tourism potential

           6.2        Goals & objectives setting

          6.3        Formulation Strategic plan

                  6.3.1 Marketing

  • Qualitative and quantitative market segmentation
  • Concept & product development (PMC’s)

           6.         Implementation

                 6.4.1 Visitor management techniques

  • Zoning
  • Codes of conduct
  • Information and education
  • etc. etc

          6.5        Monitoring visitor behaviour and impacts

          6.6        Feedback to conservation goals

The first part of the course consists of chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, the second part of the course consists of chapters 5 and 6. Students are allowed to choose either part one or both parts.

Study methods

Part 1:

Students will study literature and case studies about natural and cultural heritage management. Several experts, including guest lecturers, will lecture about these matters. Several issues will be discussed thoroughly.

Part 2:

In addition to the methods used in Part 1, students will practise writing marketing and visitor management plans. Students will present the results by means of written reports or oral presentations, either individually or in small groups.

Assessment

Part 1:
Students’ knowledge and understanding will be assessed by written tests or reports.

Part 2:
The course tutor(s) will evaluate the reports and presentations of students.

Literature

Will be published before the start of the course.

Study load

Part 1: 2 credits
Part 2: 2 credits

Lecturers

Niek Beunders, Frans Schouten