2014 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Social and Managerial Perspectives in Comparisons between Six Countries in Three Regions
| Project/Area Number |
26283020
|
|---|
| Research Institution | Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University |
|---|
Principal Investigator |
リー ティモシー 立命館アジア太平洋大学, アジア太平洋学部, 教授 (20635495)
|
|---|
| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
BUI ThanhHuong 立命館アジア太平洋大学, アジア太平洋学部, 助教 (80711556)
森下 正昭 立命館アジア太平洋大学, 国際経営学部, 准教授 (80535865)
|
|---|
| Project Period (FY) |
2014-04-01 – 2017-03-31
|
| Keywords | Tourism management / UNESCO World Heritage / Local resident attitude / Branding effects / Government policy / Stakeholder interviews |
|---|
| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
The researchers in the research project have successfully conducted the original fieldwork activities planned overall. They have met experts in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites (academics, historians, government staff, industry practitioners, etc.) in the six countries of Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, Mexico, and USA, and conducted in-depth structured interviews. The survey activities were focused on understanding current management and development issues in the six countries in relation to attracting tourists with interests in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS).
Because of these achievements, the project has made progress towards its aims to broaden the scope, expand the scale, deepen the level of analysis, and sharpen the methods of investigation of the socio-economic effects of WHS labeling for a selection of heritage destinations in three regions: North Asia, Southeast Asia and North America. The research will continue to pursue the following objectives, which were set out at the beginning of the project: a) Understand how the value of WHSs for can be maximized for the community in terms of traditions, identity, authenticity, management and planning/development; b) Promote collaboration between relevant stakeholders for destination planning and development tourism activities related to WHSs; c) Learn how WHSs can reshape and enhance national identity, and enlighten tourists about national history and pride; d) Elaborate on the regional effects of WHSs on social, planning and managerial practices.
|
| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
Reflecting the last 12 months of AY2014, the researchers confirm the progress was made as expected without any concerns or revisions. The study elucidates the regional effects of the connections between tourism and WHSs in six countries in three regions, including Japan and Korea for North East Asia, Vietnam and Cambodia for Southeast Asia, and the USA and Mexico for North America.
WHSs in respective countries were selected to maximize the variation of such as urban/rural setting, new/established sites and UNESCO criteria for cultural heritage designation. The variations in economics, politics, conservation/preservation practices, socio-economic disparity and legislative engagement of developed and developing world were also considered. Together, more than 12 WHSs in the six countries were investigated.
The followings concisely presents the research activities performed in AY2014.
(1) Preparation of measures: Literature review, develop the interview protocol, pilot interviews with stakeholders in cultural heritage tourist destinations in Japan, initial contact with stakeholders for interviews in sites of investigations. (2) Series of interviews with stakeholders at 12 World Heritage Sites: Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto and Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine (Japan), Gyeongju Historic Areas and Changdeokgung Palace (Korea), Teotihuacan and Xochimilco (Mexico), the Independence Hall in Philadelphia and the Statue of Liberty in New York (the USA), Complex of Hue Monuments and Imperial Citadel of Thang Long (Vietnam), Angkor and Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia).
|
| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In AY 2015, a questionnaire survey will be conducted with tourists in the six countries (Japan, South Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, Mexico, and USA) to investigate how the tourists in each country are affected by UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) in terms of destination image and visitor satisfaction. The researchers will seek approximately 300 questionnaires in each country (1,800 in total). Survey data will be analyzed with a cutting-edge statistical technique for modeling tourist behavior, as well as measuring the effect of management, marketing and development of the destinations on tourists’ satisfaction and intention to revisit. After analyzing the data, the researchers plan to triangulate the interview and survey results. The knowledge about industry practices from the interviews, and cultural tourists from the survey will allow professionals to construct and appropriately use the findings to organize and manage WHSs better and in a way that generates more sustained socio-economic benefits for the region. A top-tier international conference is planned for this year.
|
| Causes of Carryover |
The field studies were completed as planned but, due to efficient use of grant funds, the expenses were not as high as anticipated, resulting in a small amount of funds remaining for use in the next fiscal year.
|
| Expenditure Plan for Carryover Budget |
The remaining amount of funds will be used for further field study and implementation of questionnaires in the next fiscal year.
|
Research Products
(1 results)
