The transformative impact of cultural tourism from the perspective of local communities: Identity, space, and meaning

Kevin Rise

doi:10.24288/jttr.1700897

The transformative impact of cultural tourism from the perspective of local communities: Identity, space, and meaning

Abstract

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.

Keywords

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Tourism Economics

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Kevin Rise ^*
0009-0004-9629-9277
United Kingdom

Early Pub Date

September 26, 2025

Publication Date

September 30, 2025

Submission Date

May 16, 2025

Acceptance Date

September 12, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 11 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1700897

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA99RL72EW

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Rise, K. (2025). The transformative impact of cultural tourism from the perspective of local communities: Identity, space, and meaning. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, 11(2), 56-64. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1700897

AMA

1.Rise K. The transformative impact of cultural tourism from the perspective of local communities: Identity, space, and meaning. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research. 2025;11(2):56-64. doi:10.24288/jttr.1700897

Chicago

Rise, Kevin. 2025. “The Transformative Impact of Cultural Tourism from the Perspective of Local Communities: Identity, Space, and Meaning”. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research 11 (2): 56-64. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1700897.

EndNote

Rise K (September 1, 2025) The transformative impact of cultural tourism from the perspective of local communities: Identity, space, and meaning. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research 11 2 56–64.

IEEE

[1]K. Rise, “The transformative impact of cultural tourism from the perspective of local communities: Identity, space, and meaning”, Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 56–64, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.24288/jttr.1700897.

ISNAD

Rise, Kevin. “The Transformative Impact of Cultural Tourism from the Perspective of Local Communities: Identity, Space, and Meaning”. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research 11/2 (September 1, 2025): 56-64. https://doi.org/10.24288/jttr.1700897.

JAMA

1.Rise K. The transformative impact of cultural tourism from the perspective of local communities: Identity, space, and meaning. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research. 2025;11:56–64.

MLA

Rise, Kevin. “The Transformative Impact of Cultural Tourism from the Perspective of Local Communities: Identity, Space, and Meaning”. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research, vol. 11, no. 2, Sept. 2025, pp. 56-64, doi:10.24288/jttr.1700897.

Vancouver

1.Kevin Rise. The transformative impact of cultural tourism from the perspective of local communities: Identity, space, and meaning. Journal of Tourism Theory and Research. 2025 Sep. 1;11(2):56-64. doi:10.24288/jttr.1700897

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