Culture for Culture’s Sake: The Politics and Economics of the UNESCO World Heritage Brand on Tourism
Abstract
Are World Heritage Sites being created for the protection of their cultural heritage or are they being created to meet short term political and economic goals? This study explores the politics behind World Heritage Site inscription and the subsequent increase in personal tourism arrivals by utilizing political theory, economic theory, and regression analysis. The political theory discusses the political economy of World Heritage Site nomination through the theories of International Political Economy, balance of power, and multilateralism. The economic theory explores the economic effects of a World Heritage Site through externalities and supply demand shifts. Lastly, the regression analysis evaluates the impact of World Heritage Sites on personal tourism arrivals and personal tourism expenditure using panel data with a sample of 58 states from 2011-2015. My findings suggest UNESCO World Heritage Sites do not significantly affect personal tourism expenditure, but do significantly increase personal tourism arrivals.
Advisor
Moledina, Amyaz
Department
Global and International Studies
Recommended Citation
Peterson, Cara N., "Culture for Culture’s Sake: The Politics and Economics of the UNESCO World Heritage Brand on Tourism" (2017). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 7686.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/7686
Disciplines
Economics | International Relations
Publication Date
2017
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
Culture for Culture's Sake Data File
© Copyright 2017 Cara N. Peterson