Managing local heritage in low- and middle-income countries through small accommodation firms: The case of Ghana

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Pubblicato

2023-12-18

Fascicolo

Sezione

The Role of Cultural Heritage in the Green and Digital Transition

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13138/2039-2362/3206

Autori

  • Silvia Baiocco Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata"
  • Paola M. A. Paniccia Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata"
  • Caesar A. Atuire University of Ghana

Abstract

This study aims to provide empirical evidence about how sustainable heritage tourism paths can be developed in Ghana by focusing on the relationship between 20 guesthouses and various other local and multi-local actors. A co-evolutionary analysis is conducted stressing the dialectical nature of this relationship and following a mixed method. Findings from the analysis highlight eight interconnected key factors: five inhibitors and three enablers that are capable of influencing (un)sustainable heritage tourism paths development. In this dynamic, the application of the principle of subsidiarity, coupled with capacity building, can help the various multilevel actors co-adapt effectively. Consequently, the study suggests conceiving heritage tourism paths as co-evolutionary processes generated, and recognized as virtuous, by all actors involved. This research contributes to understanding the socio-economic and environmental dynamics underlying sustainable heritage tourism development in Africa as advocated in literature. Moreover, the findings may help decision makers and policy makers to exploit the huge sustainable potential of heritage tourism.

 

Questo articolo intende fornire un’evidenza empirica su come percorsi di heritage tourism sostenibile possono essere sviluppati in Ghana, focalizzando la relazione tra 20 guesthouses e vari altri attori, a livello locale e multi-locale. Viene condotta un’analisi co-evolutiva sottolineando la natura dialettica di questa relazione e adottando un metodo misto. I risultati dell’analisi evidenziano otto fattori chiave interconnessi, cinque inibitori e tre abilitanti, in grado di influenzare lo sviluppo di percorsi di heritage tourism (in)sostenibili. In questa dinamica, l’applicazione del principio di sussidiarietà, unita alla capacity building, può aiutare l’efficace co-adattamento tra vari attori multilivello. Di conseguenza, l’articolo suggerisce di concepire i percorsi di heritage tourism sostenibile come processi co-evolutivi generati, e riconosciuti come virtuosi, da tutti gli attori coinvolti. Questa ricerca contribuisce a comprendere le dinamiche socio-economiche e ambientali che sostanziano lo sviluppo di heritage tourism sostenibile in Africa, rispondendo a una esigenza avvertita in letteratura. I risultati possono aiutare decision makers e policy makers a sfruttare il grande potenziale di sostenibilità dell’heritage tourism.

 

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Biografie autore

Silvia Baiocco, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata"

Dipartimento di Management & Diritto 

Ricercatrice di Economia e Gestione delle Imprese

Paola M. A. Paniccia, Università degli Studi di Roma "Tor Vergata"

Dipartimento di Management & Diritto 

Professore Ordinario di Economia e Gestione delle Imprese 

Caesar A. Atuire, University of Ghana

Department of Philosphy and Classics

Associate Professor 

Come citare

Baiocco, S., Paniccia, P. M. A., & Atuire, C. A. (2023). Managing local heritage in low- and middle-income countries through small accommodation firms: The case of Ghana. Il Capitale Culturale. Studies on the Value of Cultural Heritage, (28), 151–179. https://doi.org/10.13138/2039-2362/3206