Managing heritage tourism

This article discusses the findings of a Delphi survey of owners and manage rs of historic properties, officers of heritage-based organizations, consul tants, and academics from across the United Kingdom. The purpose of the stu dy was to investigate the major constraints and imperatives relating to the long-term management of built heritage attractions. Three related issues w ere assessed: the fundamental mission of heritage attractions; the factors which impact upon decisions relating to charging for tourist entry and the perceptions of heritage managers as to the respective roles of such attract ions and public agencies in funding tourism management and heritage conserv ation programs. The paper then considers the significance of these issues i n assessing potential strategies for moving heritage tourism toward sustain ability. Keywords: heritage tourism, Delphi technique, mission, pricing, fu nding, sustainability, United Kingdom. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All r ights reserved.