Theme:
3. Heritage Narratives and Representations
Session format:
Discussion session (with formal abstracts)
Title:
Responsible “Site” Seeing: A Discussion about Sustainable Archaeological Tourism That Enhances the Visitors’ Experience while Minimizing the Negative Impacts of Visitation [Heritage and Tourism community]
Content:
Join us for a roundtable discussion on archaeological tourism, sponsored by the Community Integrating the Management of Archaeological Heritage and Tourism.
Archaeological tourism includes the management and presentation of archaeological sites and is concerned both with the visitor’s experience and with the impact of tourism on sites. As heritage tourism increases in the coming years, it is essential to consider tourism’s impact on archaeological sites. The roundtable will examine several critical issues, including but not limited to, preparing sites for increased tourism; addressing visitors’ desire for “meaningful” interactions and “authentic” experiences; creating presentations that address the needs of diverse groups of visitors; and evaluating people’s experiences and their learning. We will also explore the role of technologies like virtual and augmented reality in the presentation and interpretation of sites.
Just as importantly, we will consider how visitors’ experiences can be enhanced while minimizing negative impacts on the site. How do we assess the factors that affect archaeological sites and put heritage at risk? Are archaeologists and site managers aware of the Sustainable Development Goals and do their tourism strategies integrate these goals? How do we educate and raise public awareness of the impact of factors like climate change on archaeological sites and of the role the public can play in mitigating negative impacts on sites? It is essential to get archaeologists, site managers, and tourists to participate in actions that promote sustainable tourism.
We invite professionals connected to the topic worldwide, including archaeologists, site managers, museum professionals, tourism professionals, and heritage educators, to participate in the discussion and provide examples, ideas, and questions to enrich the conversation. Collectively, we can ensure that archaeological tourism contributes to the preservation and sustainable management of archaeological sites.
Keywords:
Archaeological Tourism, Archaeotourism, Sustainability, Site Interpretation, Site Presentation, Visitor Experience
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:
Heritage and Tourism community
Main organiser:
Ben Thomas (United States) 1
Co-organisers:
Sofia Fonseca (United Arab Emirates) 2,3
Affiliations:
1. Society of Architectural Historians
2. Teiduma, Consultancy on Heritage and Culture
3. German Archaeological Institute
THIS SESSION CAN NOT BE SELECTED AT THIS MOMENT