Negotiating Conflicts Between Cultural Values and Economic Interests in The Development of Cultural Heritage Tourism Projects

Abstract

Cultural heritage tourism inherently faces conflicts between preserving cultural value and pursuing economic interests.  The research identifies three key conflicts hampering sustainable development: over-commercialization, which compromises cultural authenticity by prioritizing profit; unequal benefit distribution, reducing community engagement due to unfair economic returns; and governance fragmentation, stemming from ambiguous rights and responsibilities among stakeholders, resulting in uncoordinated efforts. Using stakeholder theory and public resource governance, the study uncovers root causes, including differing value perceptions among stakeholders—like government, businesses, and locals—along with insufficient communication and inequitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. To tackle these issues, it develops a 'system-behavior-value' framework, integrating systemic structures, stakeholder behaviors, and value alignments to address conflicts comprehensively. It also introduces a 'culture-economy' dual-objective model, aiming to balance cultural preservation with economic sustainability. The research suggests practical strategies to resolve these conflicts: graded assessments to customize preservation efforts based on cultural significance, community equity initiatives to ensure fair participation and rewards, and digital governance solutions to improve transparency and coordination among stakeholders. These findings provide actionable recommendations for achieving sustainable cultural heritage tourism, effectively harmonizing the preservation of cultural integrity with economic vitality, and offering stakeholders a clear roadmap to manage the intricate dynamics of heritage and tourism development.