SUSTAINING A DESTINATION THROUGH CULTURAL HERITAGE TOURISM

Abstract

          The youth tourist market has expanded dramatically in recent decades. Among various types of tourism, cultural heritage tourism is one of the motives for youth travelers as young tourists seek to explore different cultures in their travel experiences. In a culturally rich country like Thailand, cultural heritage tourism is one of the most significant ingredients and a great marketing tool that has the power to influence all other forms of tourism.  Therefore, cultural heritage tourism can support culture and enhances other forms of tourism. Among a great number of tourists who are interested in historical heritage, youth tourists play an important dynamic role as they are cultural and environmental awareness. The youth travel segment, however, is composed of hundreds of millions of individuals who explicitly seek to learn, to explore, to be involved, and to make impact. Cultural heritage tourism can be considered as a core foundation for the sustainable tourism development of a country. This is especially necessary for youth tourists who, in the future, could be role models for responsible tourists and help conserve tourism resources. If they have knowledge and understanding of cultural heritage tourism and its contribution, this will encourage them to be determined in preserving tourism resources of the destination while travelling.