Developing an integrated model for assessment of tourism, transportation and economy in small heritage sites

Abstract

Heritage management, tourism, transportation, sustainability, economy and community participation are intricately associated. These factors tend to rely more on each other in small conservation-deprived heritage sites. The factors mentioned above, along with sustainability factors involving the economic, environmental, community, social, institutional and resources, are conventionally dependent on each other for upgrading heritage sites to deserving levels for tourism and making them competitive. The established tourism flow models studied in the literature review showed the application of various techniques like principle component analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, dynamic data regression analysis, and the likes. The paper is aimed to develop a universal methodology involving analytical hierarchical processing, gravity model approach, dynamic panel data regression, and econometric modelling and regression analysis. The deficiencies analysed from various literature helped to develop the final model by replacing all motor or vehicular factors with mobilisation and further reinforcing the same with freedom index of location choice. It evaluates the significance of transport infrastructure in ascertaining the tourism attractiveness of heritage sites. The model and the analysis techniques develop a positive outcome in sectors of tourism, transportation, and economic development in small heritage towns.