Heritage and Tourism: Reconceptualization of the Past As an Experience

Abstract

This short essay explores the changing theoretical conceptualisations of heritage and heritage tourism. The paper argues that heritage tourism has undergone an ontological expansion cluring the last few decacles and now focuses more on the way we experience heritage sites rather than static consumption of heritage resources. Therefore, as the paper concludes, a new framework is needed, which to better reflect the realities of the modern tourism industry and to incorporate the growing awareness of the value of intangible experiences, memories and emotions as tourism products.

Keywords: heritage, tourism, interpretation, experience; intangibility

JEL Classification: Z320