Urban Heritage Tourism Research Articles

A stakeholder perspective on contested urban heritage and heritage tourism

While there is consensus among researchers that stakeholder participation is critical for heritage development, conflicts between stakeholders can exist and create an arena of contestation. Limited studies have addressed the issue of contested heritage and conflict mitigation in heritage tourism. Examining contested urban heritage in Dalian, China, this study investigates stakeholder conflict using means-end-chain analysis to reveal conflicting perspectives and visions. Furthermore, it uses tourisation theory to assess the tourism potential of each identified development scenario. Findings reveal how a focus on functional adaptation can help to achieve compromise between “dismantler” and “preservationist” polarities to gain agreement between stakeholders. This study enhances the understanding of stakeholder conflict related to contested heritage and contributes to stakeholder theory by addressing conflict mitigation and consensus building. By highlighting the heterogeneity within traditionally defined stakeholder groups, the study suggests using attitudinal groups as a strategy for stakeholder categorization and identification of common ground. It further demonstrates how a value-based approach can help to understand the shaping of stakeholders’ views and foster consensus, laying the foundation for collaborative planning in urban heritage tourism.

The Role of Creative Communities in Supporting Development of Urban Heritage Tourism Kota Tua Jakarta

Kota Tua Jakarta or Jakarta’s Old City is a Cultural Heritage Area as well as a National Vital Object. This area is managed by the DKI Jakarta Provincial Government as a historical tourist destination. The increase in tourist visits to this area is caused by various things, one of which is the existence of tourist attractions developed by the local creative community. The role of the creative community has not been identified thoroughly. This study aims to explain the role of the creative community as a supporting tourist attraction in Kota Tua area. In addition, identifying this role is also important to help the government plan regulations that have an impact on optimizing tourism potential. This study was conducted using a qualitative method with descriptive data presentation. The results of the study show that the creative community also plays a role in developing tourism in Kota Tua ​​Jakarta. The role of the creative community is not only in providing new experiences, but also in being able to enliven the attractive atmosphere in the area of ​​cultural heritage sites that have developed into tourist destinations. The creative community has also become a tourism identity in the Kota Tua ​​Jakarta, apart from the physical side of the interesting colonial-style building architecture.

Rejuvenation of Kajoetangan Urban Heritage Tourism area becomes an icon of Beautiful Malang destinations

Kampoeng Heritage Kajoetangan is one of the thematic villages in Malang City. Antiquity and historical value are the identities of this village. There are still many problems encountered through the development, there are uneven tourist spots on Dorowati Street from the observations made. Thus, it gives rise to the impression of a dualism of proper and inappropriate appearance as a tourism village. Through a service grant, the team provided a solution in the form of rejuvenating Kampoeng Heritage Kajoetangan through the manufacture of ethnic signposts and information boards for the location of standing points, location markers, and the cable installation above the Sukun River which in the process synergizes with POKDARWIS and the surrounding community to successful rejuvenation process. The results of the rejuvenation process of the Kampoeng Heritage Kajoetangan area have been carried out well with high contribution and synergy between the team, the community, and POKDARWIS in assisting the implementation of the activities in the installation of 9-point ethnic directions information boards and installation fireplaces above the Sukun River. The team hoped with rejuvenation could increase heritage village to attract more tourists after the pandemic and, in the long term, can provide a multiplier effect for the community around the heritage village.

Mapping Tourism Potential Based on Urban Heritage Tourism in Medan City

The city of Medan is the third-largest city in Indonesia and has historical buildings or heritage that can be revitalized as a cultural heritage with tourism potential that can be developed. However, until now, the colonial heritage buildings have been destroyed up to 70%. This research method uses a tourism anthropology approach with a qualitative research type that focuses on tourist destinations. The research location is a heritage area, a colonial heritage building in the Merdeka Square segment, Maimoon segment, Benteng segment, Youth segment, Polonia segment, and Sambu segment. The study results reveal that Medan has a heritage in the form of historic buildings that have the potential to be developed and represent the identity of the city of Medan. The potential for tourism development can be carried out in 3 (three) potential areas, namely: 1) The youth segment, which includes Gedung Juang 45, which currently functions as the Sumatran Money Museum, Tip Top Restaurant, and Tjong A Fie Mansion. 2) the Maimoon segment, which includes: Maimoon Palace and the Great Mosque. 3) The Merdeka Square segment includes City Hall, which currently functions as the Grand City Hall, Hotel De Boer (currently called Grand Inna Hotel), and the London Sumatra building. Through urban tourism based on urban heritage tourism, tourists can be invited to appreciate and interpret the objects observed. It serves as education and recreation for the community. This activity is also a means of preserving the wealth and identity of the city of Medan.

The Urban Heritage Tourism Development Strategies in Gajah Mada Denpasar Heritage Area Based on The Visitors’ Satisfaction

Market driven is one of the aspect of tourism development strategy approaches. The purpose of this research is intended to formulate development strategies for Gajah Mada Denpasar Heritage Area as an urban heritage tourism destination based on the level of visitors’ satisfaction. This research is based on descriptive quantitative method. The data used in this study are qualitative and quantitative data that obtained through literature study, observation, interviews and questionnaires to 100 respondents who had experienced on visiting Gajah Mada Heritage Area before the Covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia. Data were analyzed using Importance Performance Analysis (IPA) and supported by descriptive analysis methods. The results showed that the development strategy needs to be emphasized on intensify the bad performance of the tourism destination elements in quadrant I and maintain the good performance of the tourism destination elements which are the part of quadrant II, based on the Cartesian quadrant’s result.

The Orientation of Physical Image Production Based Hotel Development in Urban Heritage Tourism Destination: Drawing Experiences from Hotels Along the Philosophical Axis Area, Special Region of Yogyakarta

The purpose of this study is to investigate the spatial distribution of hotels along the Philosophical Axis 1 area of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, as well as their orientation development in terms of physical visualization. DIY – a popular nickname for the Special Region of Yogyakarta – is one of Indonesia’s culturally based tourist destinations. There is a Philosophical Axis in the spatial framework that is characterized by buildings and places that are in a straight line and serve as landmarks, namely Tugu, Kraton Yogyakarta, and Panggung Krapyak. Today, all three structures serve as tourist attractions. These circumstances lead to an increase in the sharing of tourism facilities in the surrounding buildings, one of which is represented by the hotel’s existence. Hotel is pivotal to note because it is classified as one type of amenity that supported the running of tourism activities, and its existence can be seen and placed at a specific location, so that it is identical to the spatial context. This is a descriptive study with a qualitative research approach. It collects primary data through observation and mapping, and secondary data through literature reviews related to the research’s focus and scope. According to the findings of this study, there are more hotels in the core zone of the Philosophical Axis area in terms of quantity. Meanwhile, the orientation of hotel establishments located at the Philosophical Axis area in terms of producing a physical visual image is largely the same, regardless of whether they are international or national hotel chains; or whether they are located on the Philosophical Axis’ main lane or not. In the case of independent hotels, only those in the main lane made significant efforts to physically synchronize with the image of the Philosophical Axis area.

Identifying Overtourism Impacts on the Informal Sector’s Livelihoods in Urban Heritage Area

Ever since UNESCO discussed the impact of revitalization on the urban environment and its heritage value, a new niche of urban heritage tourism has emerged. This niche of tourism was once a successful phenomenon before it reached a point where overtourism eventually produces volatility issues. The literature review has shown that research on the effect of overtourism on informal economies is inadequate. Many academics seem mostly interested in focusing on the economic aspects and the inhabitants, without addressing whether they are engaging in formal or informal sectors. Therefore, studies of overtourism on the informal sector in urban heritage areas are essential to bridge the knowledge gap. This article will identify the impact of overtourism on informal sectors’ livelihoods in the urban heritage area using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework, with minor adjustments within the urban heritage context, as the primary tool to carefully understand the phenomenon and suggest a more suitable framework for this specific study. A qualitative data analysis software is used to conduct the necessary processes in this article. Informal markets and disadvantaged communities are seen to find ways to develop and merge the resources they already have innovatively to ensure their well-being. A modified framework to discuss the context of urban heritage is being developed by evaluating the informal sectors of urban heritage from the viewpoint of the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach during the overtourism phenomenon. The proposed framework may potentially be used to address other issues relating to urban livelihoods in different contexts.

An Improved 3D Registration Method of Mobile Augmented Reality for Urban Built Environment

3D registration plays a pivotal role in augmented reality (AR) system. The existing methods are not suitable to be applied directly in the mobile AR system for the built environment, with the reasons of poor real-time performance and robustness. This paper proposes an improved 3D registration method of mobile AR for built environment, which is based on SURFREAK and KLT. This method increases the building efficiency of algorithm descriptors and maintains the robustness of the algorithms. To implement and evaluate the registration method, a smart phone-based mobile AR system for built environment is developed. The experimental result shows that the improved method is endowed with higher real-time performance and robustness, and the mobile AR 3D registration can realize a favorable performance and efficiency in the complex built environment. The mobile AR system could be used in building recognition and information augmentation for built environment and further to facilitate location-based games, urban heritage tourism, urban planning, and smart city.

Gazing without risks. How to experience Italy, in the tourism industry interpretation of the film The Great Beauty

This paper explores how Italian heritage is presented through the narrative and stylistic features of the Academy Award winner film The Great Beauty by Paolo Sorrentino (2013), and which ‘Italianness’ is therein identified by the tourism industry. After tracing some arguments of the national debate on the film, I analyze the official online tourism marketing pages set up by public bodies and the movie tour proposals offered by tour operators on their websites. This shows that film tourism in relation to The Great Beauty is understood as an alternative form of urban heritage tourism. The authenticity of this tourist experience is identified in the originality of the chosen landmarks and points of view, thus adopting the meta-tourist reading suggested by the film. To be rejected is its narrative and emotional troubled universe, which finds little space in the design of the experience, in countertrend with most movie tour proposals.

Urban heritage tourism in Chandernagore, India: revival of shared Indo-French Legacy

Heritage tourism offers authentic value-addition to homogenized experiences providing authentic, one-of-a-kind take-away. Apart from popular world heritage sites there are little-exposed gems which can offer novelty and hedonics together. Chandernagore, located on the western bank of river Hugli, 40 km north of Kolkata, India, germinated during the medieval period, later became a thriving French Colony in Bengal displays brilliant prospect for urban heritage tourism. A detailed spatio-temporal inventory of shared heritage legacies both tangible and intangible is prepared using old literatures, oral interviews, GPS plotting and GIS mapping which offers a great platform for promoting urban heritage tourism. Chandernagore is at interesting cross-roads – bridging the infrastructural gaps and garnering involvement of the locals, for ascertaining true potentiality – the strength, weakness, opportunities and threats (SWOT) are identified to prepare a blueprint for heritage tourism revival strategy for the shared Indo-French melange. Empirical study is conducted for tourist profiling along with usage of descriptive statistics and to carry out perception analysis of locals and tourists. The SWOT analysis leads to a comprehensive strategy formulation which aims to act as base for the revival of Indo-French cultural melange through sustainable, robust tourism emphasizing the core and innovation capitals, tourism development strategies and management, tourism outcomes and resource sustainability.

Overtourism management competencies in Asian urban heritage areas

Purpose Urban heritage areas are under significant pressure as a result of increasing populations and significant visitor growth. The growth in visitor numbers is of particular concern as this is leading to the phenomenon of overtourism. In Asia, although the issue of overtourism requires immediate attention in order to avoid the loss of tangible and intangible heritage, many of those responsible for managing urban heritage areas lack the skills and competencies to prevent it or mitigate its effects. The purpose of this paper is to present an exploratory competency framework for managing urban heritage areas sustainably, for thereby preventing and/or mitigating overtourism. Design/methodology/approach In developing this framework, the authors examined how the context needs to change in order to implement sustainable urban heritage management, and they identified the particular competencies and associated skills and knowledge that are required of the stakeholders responsible for urban heritage areas to manage, prevent and/or mitigate overtourism. This analysis was based on a series of case studies examining the planning and management of urban heritage areas in Asia. Findings It was found that meeting three key objectives was essential in improving the competencies of stakeholder heritage area planners and developers as it relates to overtourism: integrated team approach, a mindset change on the part of key stakeholders and a common vision guiding the development process. Research limitations/implications It was found that in order for urban heritage managers to sustainably manage the heritage under their responsibility and prevent and/or mitigate overtourism, a fundamental shift in mindset is required on the part of key stakeholders, moving away from a “silo” approach and towards an integrated approach to urban heritage management, in which the team leaders and management teams have an interdisciplinary set of competencies and are supported in the planning and management process by subject/discipline specialists. The authors found that the set of competencies that are required by heritage management teams lie at the intersection of the four key areas of policy and planning intervention in urban heritage areas, which are: community economic development, urban planning and design, urban heritage area planning, and tourism planning and management. The competencies can be categorized under three headings: interdisciplinary perspective, soft management competencies and technical competencies. Originality/value This paper was developed based on the authors’ experience in planning and tourism initiatives throughout Asia and on a long history of urban heritage tourism and planning work around the world. Most of the discussion focusses on how urban destinations can prevent and/or address the issues associated with overtourism by enhancing the competencies of the teams and practitioners who are responsible for managing urban heritage areas.

Translating Tourist Requirements into Mobile AR Application Engineering Through QFD

ABSTRACTAugmented reality (AR) has moved into the spotlight of technological developments to enhance tourist experiences, presenting a need to develop meaningful AR applications. However, few studies so far have focused on requirements for a user-centric AR application design. The study aims to propose a method on translating psychological and behavioral indicators of users into relevant technical design elements for the development of mobile AR tourism applications in the context of urban heritage tourism. The research was conducted in three phases to generate a quality function deployment (QFD) model based on interviews, focus groups and questionnaires of international tourists and industry professionals. Key categories, content requirements, function requirements, and user resistance were defined for the identification of requirements. The outcomes of the study outline tourist requirements based on behavioral and psychological indicators and propose a method for translating them into technical design elements for tourist mobile AR applications.

THE TOURISM ELEMENT PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT OF SEMARANG OLD CITY BASED ON ATTRACTIVE URBAN HERITAGE APPROACH

<span><em>The Old Town Semarang is a historical asset of the former Dutch East Indies colonial that is rich in tourism and science potential. The Old Town Semarang as a historical tourist attraction, divided into aspects of products, physical environment and the driving force of tourism elements. Each aspect has been possessed by The Old Town Semarang, but needs development in order to realize the Old Town Semarang as study center and attractive urban heritage tourism through the development of heritage products, and supported by elements of driving elements of tourism, such as government, private and community, through product studies and the driving force tourism, so that the Old Town Semarang can play a role in science regional tourism, even national, with the needs, tour / tour guides, and community, against the Old Town Semarang. Although in fact there are several inhibiting factors in realizing the Old City of Semarang as a historical tourist attraction.</em></span>

Cultural political economy and urban heritage tourism

The paper explains a cultural political economy “framing” for interpreting heritage tourism in urban contexts. Key ideas behind this research perspective are explained and illustrated through discussion of past research studies of urban heritage tourism. It is underpinned by a relational view of the inter-connectedness of societal relations, and an emphasis on taking seriously both the cultural/semiotic and the economic/political in the co-constitution of urban heritage tourism’s social practices and features. A case study of heritage tourism in Nanjing, China considers cultural political economy’s relevance and value, including the distinctive research questions it raises. It reveals, for example, how economic relations in the built environment were related to tourist meaning-making and identities in the cultural/semiotic sphere.

Defining Distinctiveness Aspect of Place Identity in Urban Heritage Tourism

In supporting heritage tourism, emotional and psychological reactions between people and the places are required until the sites are no longer a mere identity of the geographical formation. The positive perception of people indicates satisfaction that is strongly influenced by the image of an urban area. The image defines the character of the place (spirit of place). In shaping the image of place, place identity takes a significant role and distinctiveness is one aspect of it that contributes in. This research aims to investigate the distinctiveness aspect and its influences in defining place identity of urban heritage area by using variable, i.e. landmark, uniqueness, particular character, and different perception. It focuses on the historical corridor of Medan City, Indonesia, chosen due to its significant role in the establishment of Medan City in past and the existence of historic buildings. This research combined qualitative and quantitative method through field observation and nine in-depth interviews as well as 360 questionnaires distribution, respectively to examine the perception of residents and visitors. This research contributes in defining place identity that can be used as evaluation and indicator for future planning. It will benefit in securing place identity towards support in urban heritage tourism that improves the quality of life. The result indicates that the existence of heritage buildings as landmark allows someone to have a unique affiliation to the research area. However, the diversity of interesting cultural activity, local product as well public facilities requires more improvement.

STRATEGI PENGEMBANGAN URBAN HERITAGE TOURISM KOTA CIREBON, JAWA BARAT

Tourism potential of a city can be developed through the city’s historical heritage. The history of Cirebon began around the 15th century, a small village in the Java Sea Coast named Muara Jati and its develop into the kingdom with a King named Walangsungsang (Cakrabumi). In the years 1529-1945, the Kingdom of Cirebon developed into four (4) Royal Palaces, namely: Karatons Kasepuhan, Royal Palaces Kanoman, Royal Palaces Kacirebonan and the Royal Palaces Kaprabonan. It’s cause Cirebon City has potential historical sights. Seeing the potential access of existing and historical value, Cirebon City tourism can be developed through the concept of urban heritage tourism. This study aims to discover the potential and strategies for developing the urban heritage tourism concept in Cirebon City. The research method used descriptive qualitative approach. Primary data obtained by field observations and documentation. Secondary data were obtained through, journals, books and the Internet data that is relevant. Then analysis of urban heritage tourism development strategy through a SWOT analysis. The findings are: access, historic building, cultural daily life, community and government is crucial in the development of urban heritage tourism Cirebon City.

User experience model for augmented reality applications in urban heritage tourism

ABSTRACTWhile Augmented Reality (AR) is increasingly being implemented across a number of industry sectors, an open issue remains over the emotional as well as experiential impacts of this new technology within urban cultural heritage tourism. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to create a tourist experience model for AR tourism applications in the context of urban heritage tourism. The data were collected through five focus groups with a total of 49 participants. A theoretical tourist experience model was generated using Hassenzahl’s [(2003). The thing and I: understanding the relationship between user and product. In M. A. Blythe, K. Overbeeke, A. F. Monk & P. C. Wright (Eds.), Funology (pp. 31–42). Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers] model of user experience. Hassenzahl's (2003) model relies on the basic idea that product characteristics and features have an effect on the actual consequences. The data were analysed using thematic analysis in order to examine the alignment of themes according to previously identified themes from the literature as well as investigate new emergent themes from the focus groups. This study extends the theoretical aspect of the user experience model by Hassenzahl (2003) through empirical confirmation. The findings reveal that the user experience is formed by the correlation of product features and the perceptions and experiences of tourists. Due to the fact that successful implementation use cases of mobile AR applications is still limited, particularly within the tourism industry, the establishment of a comprehensive set of factors has been considered to be crucial for successful implementation.

Recalling the Past: Maintaining continuity in urban heritage tourism

What did the past inherit to a place? It left a track of continuity that builds the identity of the place. This study aims to observed continuity aspect to develop heritage tourism in a historic corridor of Medan City. Using a mixed method of quantitative as well as qualitative, it focused on three indicators in the study area namely values, nostalgia, and familiarity. The findings have shown that the largest contribution in building the area identity came from the heritage buildings and historical stories while the familiarity was proven to be weak.

TOWARDS DEVELOPING A SUSTAINABLE HERITAGE TOURISM AND CONSERVATION ACTION PLAN FOR IRBID’S HISTORIC CORE

Tal (mount) Irbid in Irbid city, Jordan, with its continuous human occupation from the Bronze Age until the present, demonstrates the main landmark that has guided the spread of the urban growth of the city. The outcome of studies carried out at Irbid’s historic core, in relation to assessing the loss and degradation of the core’s cultural heritage, shall be analyzed, investigated, and discussed, as also concerns, obstacles, and issues of sustainability to this urban heritage conservation and tourism planning. The paper starts by defining the urban heritage for the historic core, which tends to be set aside, in the city’s rapid development. Actually, the remaining historic buildings can also provide the necessary inter-relationships between the historic core areas and the wider urban context to achieve a sustainable and integrated tourism and conservation action plan for the three heritage neighborhoods around the Tal, while building on tourism opportunities and taking into consideration the needs and the vital role of the local community. The paper concludes that urban heritage conservation and protection of the integrity and identity of the historic core city fabric can assist in its branding, promotion, and management in ways that could enhance the local community belonging, quality of everyday lifestyle, and visitors' experience.

Urban Heritage Towards Creative-based Tourism in the Urban Settlement of Kauman - Surakarta

Urban heritage is one of the manifestations in architectural value; serving a tight sustainability in the past, present, and future era. Nowadays, the existence of urban heritage tourism with having unique value and local wisdom potential has not been handled optimally. Moreover, the main functions have changed permanently for creative urbanism. The aim of this research focuses on the spatial of urban heritage and the creative economic that involve an active local community toward creative-based tourism. It is based on explorative descriptive method combined with the mapping spatial of a unique and local wisdom, including potential physical characteristic. The research location is the Kauman urban settlement; having a valuable unique and original local wisdom potential, and also its activities which still exist. The result of the research, in spatial macro, shows that the existence layout of the Kauman urban settlement has not been handled optimally. Moreover, it tends to lose its characteristics because it is not protected. In addition, the spatial micro shows that many historical buildings have changed its form, façade, interior, and function. The tendency can be seen from the buildings which are commercialized as batik showrooms, home-stays, shops, and restaurants.