Divyajit Kumar, Sampada Swain
Objective: This article examines the literature on heritage tourism branding techniques, highlighting trends, challenges, and potential opportunities.
Theoretical Framework: The study explores the interplay between cultural preservation and commercial branding in heritage tourism, focusing on the importance of a cohesive strategy that considers both cultural significance and commercial needs.
Methodology: The review employed scholarly sources including JSTOR, Scopus, and Google Scholar, focusing on peer-reviewed articles published between 2000 and 2024. A thematic analysis was conducted to synthesise the findings.
Results & Discussion: Significant advancements in heritage tourism branding include the increasing use of digital media and storytelling techniques. Challenges include maintaining authenticity amidst commercial pressures and navigating diverse stakeholder expectations. There are possibilities in leveraging technology to create immersive experiences that captivate the growing demographic of culturally curious travellers.
Research Implications: The findings offer significant insights for understanding the complexities of branding within heritage tourism. They also present actionable recommendations for managers of heritage sites and tourism marketers, aiding them in developing effective branding strategies that harmonise commercial viability with the preservation of cultural integrity.
Originality: The study contributes original insights by advocating a balance between cultural authenticity and commercial branding in heritage tourism. Future studies could explore how advancements in technology affect the experiences of heritage tourists and the importance of community involvement in branding strategies.