Report on Heritage and Cultural Tourism in the United Kingdom

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the UK heritage and cultural tourism industry. It begins by examining the industry's growth and development, highlighting key events and initiatives that have shaped its trajectory. The report then delves into potential conflicts in heritage conservation, using the case of Tibet to illustrate challenges. It assesses the purpose of heritage and cultural attractions in meeting diverse customer needs, followed by an evaluation of the impact of different ownership models on site management. The report also analyzes the roles and responsibilities of organizations within the industry and evaluates various interpretation methods and media used for tourists. Overall, the report offers valuable insights into the complexities and dynamics of the UK's heritage and cultural tourism sector.

HERITAGE AND CULTURAL
TOURISM

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................2
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................2
1.1 Analyzing the growth and development of UK heritage and cultural industry ...............2
1.2 Discussing the potential conflicts occur in the conservation of heritage and cultural
resources.................................................................................................................................5
TASK 2 ...........................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Assessing the purpose of heritage and cultural attraction in meeting the needs of different
customers ...............................................................................................................................6
TASK 3 ...........................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Evaluating the impact of different type of ownership on the management of heritage and
cultural sites ...........................................................................................................................9
3.2 Analyse roles and responsibilities of organisations in the heritage and cultural industry10
TASK 4 .........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Evaluating methods and media used for interpretation within the heritage and cultural
industry for tourists...............................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................13

Illustration Index
Illustration 1: British museum.........................................................................................................7
Illustration 2: Natural History museum...........................................................................................8
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INTRODUCTION
Heritage tourism is the practice of conducting the travel and tourism activity in the area
which is authentically represents the stories of activities which is being carried out by the people
in past (Heritage tourism, 2015). In addition to this, culture tourism is the type of tourism which
is conducted by the people with an aim to improve their knowledge and understanding regarding
varied cultures which is being followed by the people of country. These both type of tourism
plays crucial role in terms of improving the economic condition of the nation. In addition to this,
such tourism also helps in terms of improving the quality of life of residents and the serving
visitors.
This report is based upon the different type of case scenario. In accordance with the given
context, the report will provide the detailed description regarding the growth and development of
UK heritage and cultural industry. In addition to this, the report will also state the purpose of
heritage and cultural attractions in meeting the needs and demands of customers. Furthermore,
the report will also depict the roles and responsibilities of the organizations which are
functioning within heritage and cultural industry. Finally, the study will also state the importance
of using media within heritage and cultural industry for tourist.
TASK 1
1.1 Analyzing the growth and development of UK heritage and cultural industry
The heritage and cultural sector of UK is playing very crucial role in terms of improving
the economic condition of the country in an effective manner. In addition to this, for the
government of nation it is also necessary that it must make measures with regard to conserve the
natural and heritage sites of the country (Ashworth and Larkham, 2013). This is because, if it is
not done then in the given circumstances it will become difficult for the government of nation
with regard to attract large number of visitors towards the country in an effectual way. In this
regard, it can be said that the growth and development of UK culture and heritage industry is not
new, but it has been continuing from past many decades. Thus, the time line of growth and
development of UK cultural and natural heritage is depicted in below given table.
Year Name of event Description
1940s Council for the
Encouragement of Music and
the Arts (CEMA)
It is the time period when first
national body has been
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developed which tend to
provide support to the
libraries, museums and arts
within country (George, 2010).
In addition to this, in the given
year only government of UK
has taken initiative with regard
to put separate funds for
protecting the cultural heritage
of nation such as arts and
museum.
1946 The Art Council of Great
Britain
In the given year, a council
was developed which
encourages the music and art
of the country. Thus, The Art
Council of Great Britain is
being regarded as the first
agency of UK which uses fund
of the UK government with an
aim to maintain the heritage
and culture of the country.
1980 It is the decade of economic
and political pressures in
which government of nation
has reviewed its funding
policies for the protection of
culture and heritage
environment of country.
During the given year, many
agencies has confronted the
demand with regard to raise
the funds for the given
industry (Grimwade and
Carter, 2000). This is because,
these agencies are complaining
that they are not getting
sufficient funds for protecting
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the natural and culture heritage
of country. Due to this,
Business Sponsorship
Incentive Scheme was
launched by the government in
the year 1984. On the launch
of given scheme, all the
problems as being faced by the
respective agencies has
resolved. This leads to the
growth and development of
UK heritage and cultural
industry in an effective manner
(Hamilton, 2008).
1990 National Lottery It is being regarded as the
major area of development in
the field of heritage and
cultural industry. This lottery
system has opened the source
of generating income for
culture and heritage industry.
1997 (DCMS) Department for
Culture, Media and Sport
This is another most important
department in UK. It has the
responsibility with regard to
make all the arrangement
relating to the sports and
culture events which is being
organized within the country.
Besides this, there are varied culture and heritage places in UK identified which is
playing very significant role in the overall growth and development of travel and tourism
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industry of the country. It consists of Stonehenge, Big Ben, Buckingham palace and London
museums etc. In addition to this, many privates and government bodies in UK is playing very
critical role in terms of resolving the issues which is being occur within country. In addition to
this, recently a grand event had took place in UK which is called by the name of Queen Diamond
Jubliee (Hoffman, 2006). At the time of organizing the given event., government of UK had
taken the efforts with regard to renovate all the heritage places of the country. This is done with
an aim to attract large number of tourists within the country in an effective manner. Thus, it can
be said that such type of events plays crucial role. This is because, such events not only
contributes in improving the economic condition of country but it also helps in the development
and maintenance of culture and heritage monuments of nation. In addition to this, the
organizations which are operating in culture and heritage sector are taking assistance from varied
medias and channels such as newspapers, TV and social networking sites etc with an aim to
promote the given industry (Ingram, 2003). By complying with the given type of activity, firm is
attracting both domestic and international tourist within the country. As a result of it significant
development is being seen in the heritage and culture industry of country. Overall, it can be said
that development within heritage and cultural industry is providing benefit to all the firms which
are functioning within travel and tourism industry.
1.2 Discussing the potential conflicts occur in the conservation of heritage and cultural resources
The potential conflicts which occur in the process of conserving the heritage and cultural
resources of country is being identified. In order to give detail about the particular question, the
case study of Tibet is used which is going through with the number of conflicts.
Tibet which is being consider as the Roof of the world is the famous worldwide tourism
destination. Tibet is famous for its monasteries, unique and intangible culture along with high
altitude treks. In addition to this, Lhasa which is the capital of Tibet attract large number of
tourists from all over the world. In this regard, it is analyzed that country attracts 10 million
domestic and international visitors from all over the world (Leask and Rihova, 2010).
In accordance with the given context, potential conflicts are assessed which are occurring
in the capital of Tibet named as Lhasa. On the basis of analyzing the given case, it has been
identified that there is the biggest conflict occurring between Chinese government and the
inhabitants who are living in Tibet. In this regard, it has been analyzed that government of China
has recognized the potential of Tibet with regard to maintain large number of tourist within
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country (Leslie and Sigala, 2012). Due to this, it has taken the decision with respect to organize
some large scale project within the country. Here, the governmental of China has taken the
decision for renovating the Lhasa’s traditional Barkhor old town district which is situated in
outside the sacred Jokhang Temple. In addition to this, the government of China is also planning
to open Tibetan theme park within city. All these efforts are carried out by the government with
an aim to attract large number of tourists within the nation.
In addition to this, in order to increase the number of tourist within country government is
giving offer to famous luxury hotel named as InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) for opening
of 1100 rooms within the city. This project has lead to develop many conflicts within city. Here,
with an aim to boycott this project London based free Tibet has launched the campaign for the
purpose to show their residence towards the given campaign (Lomine and Edmunds, 2007).
The conflicting situation is occurring within city because of the citizens concern towards
the culture and natural environment of Lhasa. In this regard, from the given case it is identified
that citizens of Lhasa are arguing that construction of such project will lead to marginalized the
heritage importance of the city. In addition to this, they are also complaining that the new project
will tend to destroy the traditional architecture of city which is being regarding as the USP
(Unique Selling Preposition) of Lhasa (Masip, 2006). Thus, it can be said that all these
conditions are creating conflicting situation within the city.
In this context, as per my view point I totally agree with the point that the construction
within the city will leads to affect the cultural and heritage environment. However, I still believe
that there are several benefits also associated with the given project. By giving permission to the
given project unemployment related problem of nation can be resolved in an effective manner.
The given thing will help in raising the living standard of the people who are living in Lhasa.
TASK 2
2.1 Assessing the purpose of heritage and cultural attraction in meeting the needs of different
customers
The heritage and cultural attraction have different purpose and they posses some unique
characteristics too which leads to attract the large number of tourist within country. In addition to
this, the heritage and culture attraction also plays very significant role in terms of meeting the
needs and demands of different individual in an effective manner (Mckercher and Cros, 2012). In
accordance with the given context, purpose of two famous heritage and culture attraction point of
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UK is identified which plays very crucial role in fulfilling the needs and demands of different
type of customers. The detailed description about the same is depicted in below:
British Museum
British museum is situated in London and it is being counted among world's largest
museum. The museum was established in the year 1753 and it involves huge collection of
physician and scientists named as Sir Hans Sloans (British Museum, 2015). The main purpose of
this museum is to fulfill the human history, art and culture related knowledge of the citizens as
well as outsider. It has around 8 million object collection. The museum has a very unique
collection. Its list of collection involves Mummy of Ginger from Gebelein, Stela of King
Peribsen, Abydos, Statue of Nenkheftka from Deshasha, Granite statue of Senwosret III, Statue
of the Nile god Hapy and many more (Moulin, 2000). Thus, it can be said that these all items are
being regarded as the key highlights of the given museum. In accordance with the given context,
it can be said that the museums helps in fulfilling the needs and demands of different type of
customers such as students, researcher and families with children etc. Here, the students which
are associated with the literature field possess the need with regard to improve their knowledge
regarding the heritage history of country. In the similar way, researcher always searches for new
area of conducting the research. Thus, by visiting the given museum scholar can improve their
understanding regarding the cultural and heritage history of country. Thereby, they can use this
information with an aim to develop new research topic for conducting the study. The museum
also fulfill the needs and demands of parents who want that their children must know about their
7
Illustration 1: British museum
(Source: British Museum, 2015)

country history (Nyaupane and Timothy, 2009). Overall, it can be said that the given museum
helps in satisfying the needs and demands of customers in an effective manner.
Natural History museum
Natural History museum is the world's most famous and prestigious natural history
museum. The museum possesses wide range of specimen which are taken from the different
segments of natural history. The collection in museum is being categorizes into five main
categories such as botany, entomology, zoology, mineralogy and palaeontology. The museum
was established in the year 1881. The visitors who are entering in this museum does not have to
pay any admission fee (National history museum, 2015). The museum is sponsored by different
type of organizations such as Department of culture, media and Sport along with Catherine,
Duchess of Cambridge etc. They take measure with regard to maintain all the items in museum
in an effective manner. There are varied gallerias will be found out by the visitors in the
museum. It has the blue, orange and green zone gallerias which gives description about the
different type of collections (Richards, 2001). For example, blue zone category gives description
about all the animals such as mammals, fish and dinosaurs etc. The given museum also fulfill
the needs and demands of different buyers. For example, families with children visit such
museum for entertainment and knowledge enhancement purpose. In the similar way, students
also visit their with an aim to improve the knowledge regarding the natural history of the country
where they are living. In addition to this, scholar visit such museum with an aim to get the idea
for conducting the further research upon the particular topic. Thus, through this way only
museum tends to satisfy the needs and demands of different buyers in an appropriate way.
8
Illustration 2: Natural History museum
(Source: Natural History museum, 2015)

TASK 3
3.1 Evaluating the impact of different type of ownership on the management of heritage and
cultural sites
There are different type of ownership identified which plays very effective role in terms
of managing the cultural and heritage sites of the country. The detailed explanation about the
assessed ownership is being depicted in below: Public ownership: It is the type of organization which is being owned and controlled by
the government of country. The main objective of these firms is to enhance the number of
foreign as well as domestic visitors within the country. In addition to this, these firm also
have the objective with regard to conserve the natural and culture heritage of the country.
In this regard, it has been identified that these firms not only make measure with regard
to protect the cultural heritage of country but it also plays very effective role in terms of
promoting the historic tourist destination of the country in an effective manner (Ripp,
Eidenschink and Milz, 2011). In accordance with the given context, there different public
bodies identified which tends to very effective role in terms of conserving the natural and
heritage environment of country. It consists of English Heritage and Heritage Lottery
Fund (HLF) etc. Here, Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) provides funds for maintaining the
heritage and historic architecture of the country. For example, Victoria and Albert
Museum of UK is being managed by the government of nation. Private ownership: It is the type of ownership in which all the major decision about the
nation or country is being taken the private firms or entities. The main objective of this
firm is to give best experience to the customers. In addition to this, the given firms works
upon the main objective that is to enhance the sales and profits of the all the firm
associated with the field of travel and tourism industry in an effective manner. In addition
to this, the firm also plays very critical role in attracting large number of tourist within
the country. In this regard, The Historic House Association (HHA) is being regarded as
one of the private firm which maintains different type of cultural and heritage places of
country such as gardens, castles and houses etc (Rodgers, 2001).
 Not for profit organization: The given firm causes significant impact upon the heritage
and cultural tourism of country. National Trust is being regarded as one of the most
famous charitable organization in United Kingdom. The given firm works upon four
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different type of purposes such as promoting education, following regulations and
mitigating the poverty from the nation etc. In addition to this, World Wide Fund for
Nature is being regarded as another international independent charitable trust which was
founded in the year 1961 and it considers several types of issues which are associated
with the field of restoration of the environment and conservation etc. Overall, it can be
said that with the help of these firms, an effective protection of natural and heritage
environment of the country will be carried out (Ripp, Eidenschink and Milz, 2011).
3.2 Analyse roles and responsibilities of organisations in the heritage and cultural industry
The major responsibilities of the organizations within the heritage and cultural industry
are related with conservation, maintenance and management of cultural heritage and resources.
They play a major role in the promoting the tourism within the country. It also offers many
benefits to the local as well as national economy. The roles and responsibilities can be defined in
the following manner:
 WWF - World Wide Federation is an association formed for handling the issues related
to research, conservation and restoration of the environment. It is operating under 100
countries and more than 1200 environmental projects are running under this banner. It
hold the responsibility to put restriction on degradation of the natural environment. It
also contributes in developing the cultural tourism and heritage worldwide. The natural
environment also remain protected.
 Historic House Association – This association owns 1500 privately owned historic
country houses within UK. It offers technical assistance and also helps in organizing
seminars, various type of tourism events for the member houses. Focus is paid on
conserving art, gardens, parks etc for the development of cultural heritage and tourism.
The 300 HHA houses are open for visit from public. It attracts millions of visitors every
year. It also contributes in economic growth and development. The houses can be used
for fulfilling different types of purposes. It creates awareness about these country houses
and people visits them in large number (Rodgers, 2001).
 National Trust – This organization is responsible for protecting the environmental and
cultural treasures of a particular area. Here the archaeological monuments and historical
things are conserved in effective manner. The National Trust works at the national level
and is responsible for promoting the cultural tourism at the global level.
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