TY  - JOUR
T1  - The transformative impact of cultural tourism from the perspective of local communities: Identity, space, and meaning
AU  - Rise, Kevin
PY  - 2025
DA  - September
Y2  - 2025
DO  - 10.24288/jttr.1700897
JF  - Journal of Tourism Theory and Research
PB  - Mahmut DEMİR
WT  - DergiPark
SN  - 2458-7583
SP  - 56
EP  - 64
VL  - 11
IS  - 2
LA  - en
AB  - This study explores the transformative impact of cultural tourism from the perspective of local communities, focusing on the interrelated dimensions of identity, space, and meaning. Drawing on a qualitative, phenomenological approach, interviews, focus groups, and observations were conducted with residents in a heritage-rich destination. Findings reveal that cultural tourism fosters pride, intergenerational knowledge transfer, and cultural resilience, while also generating tensions around commodification, spatial reconfiguration, and contested meanings. By integrating transformative learning theory with place theory, the study extends the discourse beyond tourist-centered models to highlight community-wide transformations as embedded, ongoing processes. The research contributes theoretical insights into collective transformation and provides practical guidance for inclusive and culturally sensitive tourism planning that balances heritage preservation with sustainable community well-being.
KW  - Cultural tourism
KW  - Transformative learning
KW  - Local communities
KW  - Identity and place
KW  - Heritage sustainability
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UR  - https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1700897
L1  - https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/4877320
ER  -