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The word "heritage" is applied in a wide variety of contexts (Tunbridge & Ashworth 1996). It is used as a synonym for objects from the past, or for sites with no surviving physical structures but associated with past events. It is also extended to non-physical aspects of the past, like cultural and artistic productivity. In many countries, "national heritage" has more or less the same meaning as "national culture". .
Heritage is a cultural, political and economic resource. Since heritage is seen as a value in itself, heritage artefacts are suitable for collection, preservation and presentation. National heritage based on national history "explains the distinctiveness of a nation through time" (Tunbridge & Ashworth 1996:46), thus it is a valuable tool in increasing national unity and pride, or creating a national image. .
As an economic resource, heritage is used in various forms. The so-called heritage industry is a "major commercial activity which is based on selling goods and services with a heritage component" (Tunbridge & Ashworth 1996:2). Tourism and leisure services obviously play a significant role in this industry, but the manufacturing and sale of heritage products can be considered as similarly important. Aspects of heritage can be used for creating images for places and for promotional purposes. .
Heritage Tourism .
Heritage tourism can be defined as "tourism which is based on heritage, where heritage is the core of the product that is offered, and heritage is the main motivating factor for the consumer" (Swarbrooke 1994:222). It obviously covers a wide range of activities, from visiting historic cities to trainspotting. From tourism's point of view, in this sense, heritage as an attraction must be interesting and accessible to tourists. In attracting visitors to a destination, heritage may be the primary motivation, or a secondary factor besides an other attraction. .
Heritage tourism is a relatively new phenomenon, though travelling for cultural or historic motivation has been popular since the ancient times.
