Heritage, culture and tourism: Policy and practice for maximising benefits
Duration: 1 week
Dates: Please contact us for 2016 dates
Tuition fees:
About the workshop
The role of culture in achieving sustainable development was acknowledged in the Rio+ 20 Declaration (2012) and the EU is promoting culture as an essential contribution to enhanced human rights and good governance, and to inclusive and sustainable growth.
This “Heritage, culture and tourism” workshop will examine how culture and heritage can contribute to this agenda, both as an area linked to governance and respect for cultural diversity and as a promising economic sector linked to tourism and urban regeneration.
Yet worldwide Government agencies typically place heritage and culture as a low priority in the face of other pressing development needs, even more so in tough economic times. They are not adequately aware that heritage and culture can play a significant role in tourism, deliver urban and rural regeneration, and provide social and economic benefits for individuals and communities.
There is often a sense of distrust between heritage and cultural managers and tourism providers who are expected to meet different priorities: on the one hand protecting and conserving sites, and on the other hand increasing tourism numbers and revenue. In addition government officials need to respond to new demands: justifying public spending; providing educational opportunities; engaging new audiences; and promoting cultural tolerance and understanding.
There are important new developments in the UK – including the emergence of creative industries as a major economic strength – which shed light on these critical culture, heritage and tourism policy matters. This experience will be used as a catalyst to stimulate discussion and exchanges of ideas between participants.
This workshop will introduce the principles behind heritage, culture and tourism policy and planning – why they are important, what are the key policy decisions, and how they can contribute to the economy and society as a whole. It will consider topics related to planning, promotion, delivery and assessment of cultural tourism. Particular attention will be given to skills development, institutional reform, public information and visibility, funding strategies, the role of the private and voluntary sectors, and sustainable development as well as innovative approaches to maximizing heritage and tourism benefits.
Who is it for?
The workshop is designed mainly for policy-makers and senior experts working in government ministries and agencies and in non-governmental organisations concerned with the management and funding of heritage conservation and tourism. Applications will also be welcome from those in the voluntary and private sector who wish to gain insights into how heritage, culture and tourism contribute to economic development and to engage in dialogue with officials and experts with responsibilities in this field.
How participants will benefit
The workshop will:
- Broaden your knowledge and understanding of the issues surrounding heritage, culture and tourism policy and practice
- Examine the relationships between heritage, culture and tourism and other government priorities such as economic development and education
- Raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges surrounding heritage, culture and tourism and suggest ways in which they can be effectively addressed in different country contexts
- Provide opportunities to develop new networks with knowledgeable professionals.
Please view our Brochure 2015 (opens in a PDF document)
“Having experts in relevant fields, especially those with a successful track record, brought in to provide valuable background information helped a lot.”
Mr Robert Ketsin Renaldo
Director – Arts and Culture
Office of Tourism, Arts and Culture
Papua New Guinea
“The programme was very useful and I will recommend it to my colleagues both in the tourism and culture sectors.”
Muna Al Khoori
External Relations Manager
Abu Dhabi Tourism and Cultural Authority
