Travel to learn about other cultures, discover other destinations by delving into their history, art and customs: Welcome to the era of cultural tourism . Do you want to know what it is , what it consists of, and the types of cultural tourism that exist around the world?
An alternative to those sun and beach trips, a formula to take into account to combat the seasonality of certain destinations especially linked to high seasons such as summer and Christmas holidays. These are probably some of the aspects behind the emergence and explosion of what has been called cultural tourism , a phenomenon that is already key in countries such as Spain, where the latest figures from the INE (National Institute of Statistics) reflect that we receive 11.9 million foreign travelers a year attracted by the cultural proposal.
Major cities such as Madrid and Barcelona, London, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin are among the capitals that are particularly attractive to those people who, when choosing a place to spend their holidays , take into account aspects such as the museums available, the theatre and concert offerings, exhibition halls and gastronomy, among others. Having said that, do you want to know more about everything surrounding cultural tourism ?
Definition of cultural tourism
“ Culture is one of the drivers of tourism cambodia whatsapp data growth , so protecting cultural heritage and promoting tourism for sustainable development are part of the same equation.” These were the words of the then UNWTO Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili, at the opening of the III Conference on Cultural Tourism organized by UNWTO and UNESCO in 2018, which reflects the importance of a phenomenon that is here to stay. These are the hallmarks of this way of travelling that is key within the tourism industry:
Tourist activity that encourages visitors to discover destinations based on their cultural offering, primarily their history and culture .
The attractions of the destinations range from museums and art galleries to theatres, cinemas, monuments, buildings, local character and gastronomy, among others.
It is characterized by a somewhat immersive experience for the tourist, who gets to know first-hand the customs and ways of living in other parts of the world.
Cultural tourism is not seasonal and is 'practiced' throughout the year.
Impact of cultural tourism
Cultural tourism represents around 37% of the total industry at an international level, a staggering figure that grows year after year. Its impact is increasingly difficult to quantify –always in a positive way– because tourism and culture are considered two indivisible terms, as was discussed at the aforementioned conference. And how does it influence the future of destinations that are increasingly opting for this formula?
It boosts local and regional economies, making certain cities and/or countries as a whole especially attractive.
Creation of new jobs, driven by the development of emerging destinations, innovation and technological advances that are key in tourism.
Promotes respect for other cultures.