Principles of the Cultural Tourism

Principles of the Cultural Tourism Charter The 12^th General Assembly of the International Cultural Tourism ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) Charter Managing Tourism at Places of Heritage Significance 1999 (Sarika Rai, 2003)

Principle 1

Since domestic and international tourism is among the foremost vehicles for cultural exchange, conservation should provide responsible and well managed opportunities for members of the host community and visitors to experience and understand that community’s and visitors to experience and understand that community’s heritage and culture at first hand.

1.1   The natural and cultural heritage is a material and spiritual resource, providing a narrative development. It has an important role in modern life and should be made physically, intellectually and/or emotively accessible to the general public. Programmes for the protection and conservation of the physical attributes, intangible aspects, contemporary cultural expressions and broad context, should facilitate an understanding and appreciation of the heritage significance by the host community and the visitor, in an equitable and affordable manner.

1.2   Individual aspects of natural and cultural heritage have differing levels of significance, some with universal values, and others of national regional or local importance. Interpretation programmes should present that significance in a relevant and accessible manner to the host community and the visitor, with appropriate, stimulating and contemporary forms of education, media, technology and personal explanation of historical, environmental and cultural information.

1.3   Interpretation and presentation programmes should facilitate and encourage the high level f public awareness and support necessary for the long term survival of the natural and cultural heritage.

1.4   Interpretation programmes should present the significance of heritage places, traditions and cultural practices within the past experience and present diversities of the area and the host community, including that of minority cultural or linguistic groups. The visitor should always be informed of the differing cultural values that may be ascribed to a particular heritage resource.