An analysis of the literature at the nexus of heritage, tourism, and local economic development

It is clear that tourism is an important industry. It is equally true that it is being pursued in many areas as an alternative to more traditional economies that have failed. Often tourism is based on local heritage resources such as older buildings and customs that attract visitors. The concepts of heritage, tourism, and local economic development are therefore linked in many places but researchers have not necessarily explored all the possible links. This paper first selects articles and books that deal with all three of these subjects, draws out the themes contained in them, and finally analyzes the relationships among them. The works identified were classified according to their focus, what they are about; their locus, where they refer to; and intent, what the authors set out to do. Each one of those categories was then subdivided further. The extent to which papers in these different categories relate to each other or overlap was described. The purpose is to expose the places where more work is needed and where research opportunities lie. While the strongest link is between papers that are analytical in intent and deal with rural tourism, there are also connections between papers analytical in intent and focussed on society or economic development. Weaker connections are noted between studies that are theoretical in intent while focussing on and tourism or society.