Heritage and local attractiveness are closely linked, but concerns have emerged about excessive tourist flows to cultural destinations. This research investigates the nexus between cultural tourism and development, focusing on both direct economic benefits and indirect, potentially negative effects, such as crime and environmental damage, associated with excessive tourist flows.
It is common experience that cultural heritage plays a key role in attracting tourists, which in turn fuel local economic prosperity. The Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), for instance, highlights cultural tourism as a central pillar for regional development. The economic returns from tourism not only boost local prosperity but also provide funds for the preservation of cultural sites. This dual benefit is seen as essential for both maintaining cultural heritage and promoting local economic growth. Cultural tourism is especially crucial in regions rich in cultural landmarks and history and, if on the one hand, visitors are drawn to unique cultural experiences, on the other hand, local communities often strongly identify with their heritage, which fosters pride and sense of belonging.
Despite the economic advantages, excessive tourist numbers can lead to several potential downsides such as overcrowding, congestion, and, especially in cultural destinations, degradation and deterioration of heritage. High tourist volumes may diminish the authenticity of cultural sites, leading to “cultural appropriation” or loss of symbolic value, which is integral to the local community’s identity. Overtourism also increases the demand for local infrastructure, leading to higher maintenance costs, which are often borne by local communities. The influx of tourists can inflate housing prices, making city centers unaffordable for residents and pushing locals to the outskirts.
In our research we focus on two critical adverse effects associated with cultural tourism: crime and environmental damage. In fact, tourists are often perceived as affluent and may carry valuable items, making them attractive targets for theft. Besides, tourists might also contribute to illegal markets, carelessly fostering crime through the demand for illegal goods or services and may engage in riskier behaviors due to a relaxed mindset during vacations. Furthermore, tourism contributes to pollution and often leads to other ecological disturbances such as poor waste management and unsustainable land use changes. Mass tourism significantly increases carbon emissions, not only from transportation but also from the infrastructure and services that support tourist activities. These environmental impacts can undermine the sustainability of tourist destinations, posing long-term risks to both natural and cultural heritage. Figure 1 summarizes the mechanisms explored.
Specifically, we explore the complex relationship between heritage tourism and local economic prosperity, considering both the positive and negative impacts. Empirical data from Italian provinces shows that heritage tourism, often seen as more sustainable and desirable than mass tourism, can foster regional wealth by attracting tourists interested in cultural enrichment. However, the econometric analysis reveals that this relationship is not straightforward. While heritage tourism boosts local wealth, excessive tourist inflows, especially in “superstar destinations”, can lead to negative consequences, such as overcrowding, environmental degradation, and reduced economic benefits due to rising maintenance costs and strained services.
Furthermore, while heritage tourism contributes to local prosperity, this is only true up to a certain point. Overtourism creates diminishing returns, and additional costs associated with heritage conservation, public services, crime, and environmental damage become significant when a destination is overcrowded. The study also notes that cultural tourism potential depends not only on the number of heritage sites but also on the quality of their preservation and the maintenance of their historical integrity.
The findings suggest that heritage tourism can drive local development, but policies for sustainable tourism are needed to mitigate the risks of overtourism and protect economic, social, and environmental resources. These results and policy indications are in line with the European Commission’s Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage that emphasizes the need for balancing cultural heritage access with sustainable tourism. This balance involves regenerating cities and regions, promoting the adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, and mitigating the environmental impact of tourism.
Future research should explore more indirect effects of heritage tourism, such as its impact on local identity and well-being, and investigate issues like economic accessibility to cultural heritage.
References
European Commission (2018), European Commission Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage, Commission Staff Working Document, https://openarchive.icomos.org/id/eprint/2317/1/NC0319331ENN.en.pdf
About the article
Cerisola S. and Panzera E. (2024), Heritage tourism and local prosperity: An empirical investigation of their controversial relationship, Tourism Economics, https://doi.org/10.1177/13548166241234099
About the authors
Silvia Cerisola is Assistant Professor of Regional and Urban Economics at Politecnico di Milano.
Elisa Panzera is Assistant Professor of Regional and Urban Economics at Politecnico di Milano.
About the image
Stefano Accorsi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
