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Cultural Tourism and the Enhancement of Quality-of-Life

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Handbook of Tourism and Quality-of-Life Research

Part of the book series: International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life ((IHQL))

Abstract

This chapter examines how cultural tourism enhances the quality-of-life of the many types of communities it affects. While cultural tourism exists first and foremost for the benefit of tourists and the tourism industry, its building blocks are based on a community’s tangible and intangible cultural heritage assets. Much has been written about the adverse impacts of tourism on local communities, but relatively little research has examined how cultural tourism enhances quality-of-life. The chapter begins by contextualizing cultural tourism and identifying four different types of communities it affects. The main body of the chapter examines the impacts on economic development, conservation, nation building and national mythmaking, community well-being, and the provision of leisure and recreation facilities. Case studies from Hong Kong and southern China are used to explore key themes in greater detail.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Hotel and Tourism Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Bob McKercher

  2. PolyU Hong Kong Community College (West Kowloon Campus), 9 Hoi Ting Road, Yau Ma Tei, Kowloon, Hong Kong

    Pamela Ho

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  1. Bob McKercher
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  2. Pamela Ho
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Correspondence to Bob McKercher .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. State University, Dept. Hospitality & Tourism Management, Virginia Polytechnic Institute &, Blacksburg, 24061, Virgin Islands, USA

    Muzaffer Uysal

  2. State University, Dept. Hospitality & Tourism Management, Virginia Polytechnic Institute &, Blacksburg, 24061, Virgin Islands, USA

    Richard Perdue

  3. Pamlin College of Business, Dept. Marketing, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Pamplin Hall 2025, Blacksburg, 24061-0236, Virgin Islands, USA

    M. Joseph Sirgy

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McKercher, B., Ho, P. (2012). Cultural Tourism and the Enhancement of Quality-of-Life. In: Uysal, M., Perdue, R., Sirgy, M. (eds) Handbook of Tourism and Quality-of-Life Research. International Handbooks of Quality-of-Life. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2288-0_20

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