Abstract
The management of cultural heritage is crucial for optimizing natural, archaeological and cultural resources for tourism development. This study focuses on evaluating Uchuraccay (a village in Peru) residents’ perceptions of this relationship. A survey of 520 respondents examined tangible and intangible heritage aspects, alongside tourism’s environmental, social and economic dimensions. Findings reveal challenges: 38.65% feel that tangible heritage lacks appreciation due to limited public awareness, insufficient conservation funding and limited promotion. Additionally, 40.96% believe that intangible heritage suffers from inadequate management and preservation policies. These insights underscore the necessity for cultural heritage assessments to enhance economic growth through targeted tourism strategies.
Executive Summary
The effective management of cultural heritage plays a critical role in optimizing natural, archaeological and cultural resources for sustainable tourism development. This study examines residents’ perceptions in Uchuraccay, a rural village in Peru, regarding the relationship between cultural heritage management and tourism outcomes. Understanding local perspectives is particularly relevant for designing inclusive and context-sensitive tourism strategies that contribute to regional development. A quantitative approach was adopted through a structured survey administered to 520 residents. The instrument evaluated perceptions of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage, as well as tourism’s environmental, social and economic impacts. The analysis reveals significant perceived gaps in heritage management. Specifically, 38.65% of respondents indicated that tangible heritage is insufficiently valued, mainly due to limited public awareness, inadequate conservation funding and weak promotional efforts. Likewise, 40.96% of participants expressed concern that intangible heritage suffers from deficient management frameworks and the absence of robust preservation policies. These findings highlight structural and institutional challenges that may hinder the effective use of cultural heritage as a driver of sustainable tourism. The results suggest the urgent need for comprehensive cultural heritage assessment mechanisms that integrate community participation, strengthen conservation investment and improve heritage promotion strategies. From a managerial perspective, aligning heritage management with tourism planning can enhance local economic opportunities while safeguarding cultural identity. The study contributes to the tourism and heritage management literature by providing empirical evidence from a rural Latin American context, emphasizing the importance of resident-centred approaches. It also offers practical implications for policymakers and tourism planners seeking to leverage cultural assets responsibly. Future research may explore longitudinal impacts and comparative cases to deepen understanding of heritage-driven tourism development in similar communities.
Currently, cultural heritage is considered an inheritance from ancient communities, a resource comprising tangible, intangible and natural assets that serve to improve the management of sustainable urban development by preserving the cultural resources of an area (Town et al., 2021). Cultural heritage is an important element within the cultural expression of diverse communities, since it involves aesthetic and symbolic resources such as myths, stories, customs and social traditions, which promote the cultural recognition of a territory (Pariona-Luque et al., 2023; Zhang, Liu, Tahseen, et al., 2020). On the other hand, Amakawa et al. (2020) highlight that cultural heritage is one of the most important economic resources of a region, particularly for tourism, since it generates jobs and sources of income, and thus contributes to reducing poverty. However, Hussein et al. (2020) and Yang (2020) warn that tourism development can put the preservation of cultural heritage at risk if a sustainable tourism plan is not implemented that prevents the overexploitation of resources and their negative impact on the community.
The analysis of cultural heritage, both tangible and intangible, cannot be complete without including the perceptions of local people, as they are the primary custodians and transmitters of this heritage. Previous studies have shown that local community participation and perspectives are fundamental to assessing the impact of heritage on tourism development. For example, research such as that of Bruku (2015), Chirikure et al. (2010) and Dadizadeh and Doğan (2024) highlights that local perceptions are critical in determining which aspects of heritage are most valued by communities and thus most amenable to conservation. Villagers not only act as stewards of heritage, but their involvement also allows tourism to develop in a more authentic and culturally respectful manner. These studies underscore that the active participation of communities in heritage management fosters a sense of ownership that drives the long-term conservation of cultural and natural resources. Furthermore, this collaboration allows for the creation of more genuine tourism experiences based on local knowledge and traditions, which not only strengthen cultural identity but also enhance the economic and social benefits of tourism by generating employment and promoting sustainable development.
Taking this into account, the proper management of the tourist heritage of an area is essential to develop effective strategies that promote tourism in the area. According to Leonady et al. (2021), tourism development refers to a set of actions aimed at creating and implementing projects to increase the number of tourists visiting an area and to generate greater economic activity. In order to manage the tourism development of a place, it is essential to understand the management model of the territory in order to identify weaknesses, opportunities, threats and strengths that allow the formulation of ideal strategies for tourism development (Maulana & Pratama, 2021). In this sense, it is important to manage tourism with a sustainable approach because, as stated by Ahmed et al. (2019), tourism has become the leading industry in the market and it is essential to preserve natural and archaeological resources for this economic activity to be sustainable in the long term. On the other hand, an important measure to promote tourism development is the creation of tourist routes that improve the accessibility of the site and attract more visitors (Idajati & Nugroho, 2019). In conclusion, proper tourism heritage management, a focus on sustainability and the implementation of effective strategies are key to the tourism development of an area.
However, experiences across different parts of the world highlight challenges and risks in managing cultural heritage. In China, cultural heritage was found to be vulnerable to multiple risks from natural disasters, which cannot be managed due to the lack of early risk assessment tools and emergency response capacity (Fu et al., 2022). Furthermore, in Australia, the lack of cultural heritage protection was found to affect the sustainable livelihoods of residents who are forced to adapt to the demands of tourism (Liu et al., 2022). In Italy, it has been noted that the bodies responsible for carrying out the conservation of cultural heritage face decision-making problems when it comes to recognizing the cultural heritage assets that need to be prioritized in conservation interventions (Santosuosso, 2022). On the other hand, Ecuador was found to lack a strategic vision, territorial planning and a framework for management and cooperation between different local actors to promote tourism development (Mendoza et al., 2022).
Knowledge Gap, Objectives and Scope of the Research
Previous studies have shown that rural tourism is highly sought after due to the unique experiences it offers, such as interaction with the local community, the opportunity to learn about new cultures and local productions (Castilla et al., 2020; Mwesiumo et al., 2022; Ridderstaat et al., 2022). In addition, some authors have noted that tourism development is a critical factor in economic growth and poverty reduction, so it is important to preserve the cultural heritage that underpins this activity (Croes et al., 2021; Li et al., 2022; Zhang et al., 2023). However, the tourism literature still lacks solid, accurate and up-to-date evidence on how local communities perceive the relationship between cultural heritage and tourism development in the Americas. This article aims to contribute to filling this gap by analyzing the perceptions of the inhabitants of the district of Uchuraccay, Peru regarding their tangible and intangible cultural heritage and its potential to promote tourism development in the area. By focusing on community valuations, the study seeks to understand how these social representations can influence sustainable tourism development strategies in rural contexts. In that sense, it contributes valuable information to the existing international literature on cultural heritage and tourism. First, it focuses specifically on the district of Uchuraccay in Peru, a place that has received little attention in the existing literature. By focusing on a specific location, the study can provide detailed and relevant information on the interactions between cultural heritage and tourism in that place. In the case of Uchuraccay, understanding how the inhabitants perceive the relationship between their cultural heritage and tourism will allow the identification of strategies that respect their identity and promote sustainable tourism development, bridging the existing gap in cultural and tourism management in the district. This may be particularly relevant given the important role that tourism can play in economic development and poverty reduction in the region.
Importance and Contribution
The significant contribution of this article lies in addressing an existing gap in the tourism literature, specifically regarding the intersection of cultural heritage and tourism development in countries of the American continent. Although previous studies have highlighted the growing demand for rural tourism and its potential to boost economic growth, foster local community engagement and promote locally produced offerings, the literature lacks robust, up-to-date evidence on the precise relationship between heritage, culture and tourism development in this geographical context. This article is positioned as a significant effort to fill this gap, focusing its attention on the Uchuraccay district in Peru. This place has received little attention in previous research. By focusing on this specific location, the study seeks to provide detailed and relevant information on the interactions between cultural heritage and tourism, thereby contributing to the existing international literature on this topic. This localized approach is crucial as it can shed light on the unique dynamics of Uchuraccay and serve as a valuable reference for understanding how cultural heritage can drive economic development and poverty reduction in the region. In summary, this work provides a unique and relevant perspective that enriches the global understanding of the relationship between cultural heritage and tourism in the specific context of the American continent.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Tangible cultural heritage consists of material goods that are considered unique and irreplaceable because of their historical and cultural importance in the social identity of a specific place (Juanis et al., 2020). This dimension is divided into two categories: the first includes archaeological, artistic, and utilitarian objects and documents that can be moved to another location, while the second includes urban sectors and residential architecture that cannot be moved from their place of origin (Jamaludin et al., 2021). A study in Iraq on the transformation of the urban landscape and the threat to the local identity of the place recommends more support for tangible heritage to preserve the traditional value of the area (Castilla et al., 2023; Farhan et al., 2021).
On the other hand, intangible heritage differs from tangible heritage. Intangible heritage does not have a material form. In this regard, Zhang, Liu, Wang, et al. (2020) point out that intangible heritage is a key factor in preserving cultural diversity as it adapts to new trends and ensures its continuity from generation to generation. Likewise, despite the definitions provided by Zhang and Liu (2020) that highlight the importance of traditions, expressions, rituals, knowledge and cultural practices as essential components of intangible heritage, the literature lacks specific research that exhaustively analyzes these dimensions and their distinctive value in various cultures. Furthermore, the proposal to establish a secure information platform to preserve historical records, as suggested by research in China (Zhang et al., 2021), highlights the lack of studies that delve into the specific strategies and technologies necessary to carry out this type of preservation of intangible heritage. These identified gaps underscore the need for more detailed, specialized research that comprehensively addresses the importance and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage across diverse cultures and contexts.
On the other hand, environmental tourism development, which focuses on the biotic components of a tourist attraction and offers entertainment through various ecological manifestations, is a crucial aspect in the tourism landscape (Julianti et al., 2021). Currently, the environmental dimension is fundamental to tourism development as it promotes the protection and proper use of natural resources and the conservation of natural heritage (Idajati & Nugroho, 2019). In this regard, a study conducted in Indonesia revealed that it is essential to establish a monitoring system in tourism ecosystems to prevent the environmental dimension from being affected by irresponsible overexploitation of resources (Muhamad et al., 2021).
It is important to note that social tourism development differs from the environmental dimension. Social tourism focuses on the impact of tourism on society, rather than the impact on the environment. In this regard, Aji (2020) argues that the social dimension of tourism development refers to the local activities of different social groups in the place in relation to tourism, which includes leadership attitudes, project management, distribution of power within the system, as well as the relationship of tourists with businesses and the community. For example, Liao et al. (2021) state that an important factor within the social dimension of tourism development is the intense process of cultural exchange generated by tourism activity and the modernization brought about by the need to adapt the ground infrastructure to improve the perception of the place and attract more visitors. A study conducted in Russia highlighted the importance of the social dimension of tourism in solving social problems by reducing the gap in living standards of different sectors of the country through the increased provision of opportunities (Kukharenko & Gizyatova, 2018).
It should be noted that economic tourism development differs from the other two dimensions in that it focuses on the issue of monetary income generated by tourism. In this regard, Wawo et al. (2020) point out that the economic dimension of tourism development includes the impact that tourism has on the economic activity of the place, improving the standard of living of the local population through the creation of new employment opportunities in the hotel, catering and tourism sectors, as well as promoting the revaluation of different heritage sites. Similarly, He et al. (2020) note that the economic dimension of tourism represents the effective management of resources through investment strategies to improve tourist attractions and local conditions in order to attract more tourists, conserve resources and create a sustainable tourism-based economy. Research in Turkey has shown that the economic dimension is subject to constant change as tourism development increases the participation of local communities in economic affairs (Özer et al., 2022).
Despite the growing relevance of cultural heritage management in tourism development, a gap in the literature exists that specifically and in detail addresses the deficiencies and challenges in implementing tourism strategies in places with diverse cultural heritage, such as Uchuraccay. Current research has highlighted the importance of evaluating local perceptions of cultural heritage and their relationship with tourism development, but there remains a lack of an approach that delves into how these perceptions translate into concrete measures and effective strategies. Therefore, the research questions of this research focus on: (a) evaluate the current level of implementation of tourism strategies in Uchuraccay to boost economic development, (b) identify specific deficiencies in the management of tangible and intangible heritage, and (c) provide a comparative framework that can serve as a reference not only for Uchuraccay but also for other regions with similar challenges in cultural heritage management and tourism development. This approach not only fills critical gaps identified in the literature but also contributes to the academic narrative with original and relevant research, strengthening the understanding of how tourism strategies can be designed and applied more effectively across diverse cultural heritage contexts.
Strategies and Tools for Tourism Development
Today, tourism has become one of the primary sources of economic income in many countries, and its importance lies in its ability to generate employment and promote economic growth. However, to achieve sustainable and responsible development, it is necessary to implement appropriate strategies and tools to promote responsible and sustainable tourism.
One of the main strategies is to diversify tourism. Instead of relying on a single type of tourism, countries should seek ways to attract a range of tourists, from those seeking beach tourism to those who prefer cultural or adventure tourism. This can be achieved by promoting new tourist destinations, improving tourism infrastructure and diversifying tourism products (Mero & Amaya, 2021).
Another important strategy is collaboration between the public and private sectors. The tourism industry requires cooperation among tourism stakeholders to achieve sustainable development (Lei et al., 2023; Pariona-Luque et al., 2023). The public sector can provide the necessary regulatory framework for tourism development, while the private sector can contribute its knowledge and experience in tourism management (Ji & Wang, 2022).
In addition, there are specific tools that can support sustainable tourism development. One of these is strategic tourism planning, which involves setting clear goals and objectives for tourism development, identifying key challenges and opportunities, and formulating strategies and actions to achieve the goals (Ren et al., 2023). It is also important to have monitoring and evaluation systems in place to measure the impact of tourism on local communities and the environment (Ridderstaat et al., 2022).
In summary, sustainable tourism development requires proper strategic planning and the implementation of effective tools and policies. Tourism diversification, public–private sector cooperation, and the implemen-tation of tools such as strategic tourism planning, monitoring and evaluation are key to responsible and sustainable tourism worldwide.
Uchuraccay
The community of Uchuraccay is located in the province of Huanta, in the Department of Ayacucho, Peru, at an altitude of 4,000 m above sea level. It is located on the border between the jungle and the valleys of Huanta and Tambo and has a total population of 3,861 inhabitants (refer to Figure 1). The minimum temperature in the area is 2°C and can reach −3.3°C in May and June, while the maximum temperature can reach 23.2°C. Poverty is one of the most apparent challenges in communities like Uchuraccay, where employment opportunities are scarce and income generation is difficult. As a result, tourism has been recognized as an activity that can create jobs, increase income and improve the standard of living of residents (Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática, 2018; Marapara & Ramos, 2018; Seda Ayacucho Sucursal Huanta, n.d.).

In the district of Uchuraccay in Peru, it was found that the local authorities and inhabitants were not making adequate use of the natural resources provided by the inherited cultural heritage, and that there was a lack of tourism awareness and strategies to promote sustainable tourism development as a long-term economic activity (Donayre, 2020). As a result, the quality of life of local people has been reduced, as natural resources are used inefficiently and without generating additional income or employment (Wang & Lin, 2020). In this sense, there is a need to further engage local communities to improve household economies in addition to increasing tourism awareness and participation in conservation activities (Ekayani et al., 2019).
This article describes the importance of cultural heritage in promoting tourism development in communities to create more economic opportunities for villagers, revalue local resources and increase tourism awareness in the area. A survey was conducted among the inhabitants of the province of Huanta, with the result that a diagnosis of cultural heritage, through the dimensions of tangible and intangible heritage, improves tourism development in environmental, social and economic terms.
METHOD
Design
The present study is an applied research study with a quantitative approach and a non-experimental, correlational-explanatory design (Hernández et al., 2010). The population consists of 3,861 inhabitants of Uchuraccay in the Department of Ayacucho (Instituto Nacional de Estadística e Informática, 2018). To find the sample size, the following formula was applied: N = N × Z2 × p × q/e2 × (N–1) + Z2 × p × q with a reliability level of 95% and a sampling error of 4%, resulting in a sample of 520 villagers.
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
The inclusion criteria were: (a) age between 30 and 55 years old, (b) willing to provide informed consent to participate in the study, and (c) a resident of the district of Uchuraccay. This age range was selected through non-probabilistic purposive sampling, as it is considered that people in this age group possess a combination of experience, maturity and accumulated knowledge of the sociocultural transformations of the territory, as well as a higher probability of having been exposed to initiatives linked to tourism development and local heritage management.
Incomplete questionnaires or questionnaires whose participants stated that they did not wish to continue with the study were excluded. The respondents, although not all of whom are directly linked to the tourism sector or cultural heritage management, were considered key because their perceptions reflect the local community’s views on the tourism value and potential of their tangible and intangible cultural resources. This perspective is fundamental to understanding the role of cultural heritage in sustainable tourism development processes in rural contexts.
Data Collection
The choice of Uchuraccay as a study area is based on the significant historical-cultural importance of the locality and its previously identified tourism potential. This is essential for understanding the context in which the study takes place and for assessing its suitability for tourism development. This case study was conducted between September and November 2022. The data collection technique was the survey, applying a structured questionnaire of 11 questions using the Google Forms tool to measure the opinion regarding cultural heritage according to its dimensions: tangible heritage and intangible heritage; and 11 statements to measure the opinion regarding the variable tourism development and the dimensions: environmental, social and economic. These questions were elaborated based on previous studies that evaluated the conservation, valorization and tourism use of cultural resources. A total of 542 questionnaires were received. After data screening, 20 responses were discarded due to incompleteness or inconsistencies. Consequently, 520 valid questionnaires were retained for the final analysis. Each question was aligned with specific aspects of cultural heritage, including the state of conservation of tangible assets, the transmission of traditional knowledge, and the integration of local cultural expressions into tourism. Likewise, these statements were also designed based on indicators commonly employed in studies on sustainability and tourism development, such as the preservation of natural resources, community participation in tourism activities, and the economic impact generated by local tourism (Dadizadeh & Doğan, 2024; Willems et al., 2018). A three-point Likert scale with the following values was used to assess the responses: good, fair and poor. This approach allowed capturing the respondents’ opinion on the quality and status of both cultural heritage and tourism development in the study region. The survey instrument used in this study, including the items and measurement scale, is presented in Annexure A.
Data Analysis
To process the information, the data were organized in a tabular matrix and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v25 and Excel. Cronbach’s alpha was used, yielding a value of .798 for the cultural heritage and tourism development variable, indicating a very high reliability.
In the first stage, using descriptive statistics, the distributions of the tangible and intangible heritage dimensions of the cultural heritage variable and the environmental, social and economic dimensions of the tourism development variable were examined. In the second stage, inferential statistics were used to determine the correlation between cultural heritage and tourism development variables.
Ethical Considerations
All methods applied in this research were carried out in accordance with the relevant ethical guidelines and regulations. The study involved the participation of individuals through an anonymous questionnaire. For this reason, ethical approval was sought to ensure compliance with fundamental principles such as participant confidentiality, informed consent and the overall ethical conduct of the study. The research has ethical approval from the institutional review board of the Centre for Intellectual Research and Development (CIDI), number CE-PI-No. 003-2025. Participants were voluntarily recruited for the study and provided written informed consent after reading and understanding it.
RESULTS
The questionnaire was applied to 520 inhabitants, based on which the following results were obtained:
Inhabitants’ Perception of the Dimensions of the Cultural Heritage Variable
The results provide a critical view of the inhabitants’ perception of the state of the cultural resources of the place. Notably, 39% of respondents rate the level of tangible heritage as ‘fair’. This categorization indicates that a significant part of the population perceives certain aspects of tangible heritage, such as monuments, historic buildings or other physical elements, in a state that is neither exceptionally outstanding nor deficient. Likewise, another relevant piece of information is that 41% of respondents rate the level of intangible heritage as ‘poor’. This assessment may highlight concerns about intangible aspects of heritage, such as traditions, knowledge, cultural expressions and the like. This suggests that this portion of the population feels that certain essential aspects of their intangible heritage are at risk or have been neglected (Figure 2).
Results of Perceptions on Cultural Heritage.
Inhabitants’ Perceptions of the Dimensions of the Tourism Development Variable
The results derived from the tourism development variable offer a critical view of the perception of the inhabitants regarding the improvement of tourism development in the area. It is particularly striking that a remarkable 42% of respondents rate the environmental dimension as ‘fair’. This finding may indicate that a substantial part of the population feels that the measures taken to preserve and protect the natural environment in the context of tourism development are adequate but not exceptional. Similarly, another relevant aspect is that 49% of respondents evaluate the social dimension of tourism development as ‘bad’. This assessment highlights significant concerns regarding the social aspects of tourism, possibly indicating challenges in terms of impacts on the local community, interpersonal relations or the general well-being of the inhabitants. In addition, it is noteworthy that 54% of respondents perceive the economic dimension of tourism development as ‘bad’. This could suggest that a large proportion of the population does not consider that tourism is contributing positively to local economic growth or improved livelihoods. Taken together, these results underscore the need for a thorough review and adjustment to tourism development strategies in Uchuraccay. The lack of satisfaction with the environmental, social and economic dimensions of tourism reflects challenges that must be addressed to achieve sustainable tourism development that benefits the local community (Figure 3).
Results of Perceptions on Tourism Development.
Correlation Coefficient
As shown in Table 1, Pearson correlation results were obtained, providing information on the relationships among the dimensions analyzed in this study. A statistically significant positive correlation of moderate strength was found between the environmental dimension of tourism development and cultural heritage (r = .624, p < .001). This indicates that as the levels of the environmental dimension of the place improve, the inhabitants reported a better level of cultural heritage. Likewise, a strong positive correlation was found between the social dimension of tourism development and tangible heritage (r = .890, p < .001). This suggests that as the levels of the social dimension increase, so does the level of tangible heritage. Similarly, it was evident that there is a strong positive correlation between the social dimension of tourism development and intangible heritage (r = .795, p < .001). This indicates that as levels of the social dimension increase, inhabitants reported an improvement in intangible heritage. On the other hand, a weak relationship was found between the environmental dimension and intangible heritage (r = .513, p < .001). This means that the behaviour of one of the dimensions does not directly influence the other.
Interrelationships Between Tourism Development Dimensions and Cultural Heritage Dimensions.
Implications for Practice and Future Research
The practical implications of this study suggest the need to implement tourism strategies adapted to local perceptions in Uchuraccay, addressing the deficiencies identified in the valorization and management of tangible and intangible cultural heritage. The results highlight the importance of raising public awareness, increasing investment in the conservation of tangible heritage, and developing effective policies and strategies to safeguard and transmit intangible heritage. In practice, this implies the urgency of a detailed diagnosis of the cultural heritage that guides the economic development of the place through specific tourism strategies. Furthermore, implications for future research include the need for more specialized studies that further explore local perceptions in other places with diverse cultural heritage, thereby enabling a broader understanding of how tourism strategies can be adapted to specific contexts. Furthermore, it is recommended to investigate the implementation and evaluation of specific policies and strategies for the preservation and effective transmission of cultural heritage in similar communities, thereby providing a basis for developing best practices in the management of cultural heritage and the promotion of sustainable tourism.
DISCUSSION
Tangible Heritage Dimension
The district of Uchuraccay has a medium level of tangible heritage (39%), as can be seen in Figure 2, based on the responses of the villagers in the survey. This place has several tangible resources, such as archaeological remains, lagoons, waterfalls and other attractions. However, the survey results show that the area faces difficulties in valuing these resources due to inadequate infrastructure that fails to promote their recognition. It is therefore necessary to work with local authorities to build adequate tourism infrastructure, including the construction of new roads, basic service areas and tourist facilities. This is in line with the findings of Juanis et al. (2020) and Farhan et al. (2021), who emphasize that tangible heritage is a set of unique and irreplaceable material assets that represent the history and culture of a particular place and help to preserve its traditional value and distinct social identity.
This approach to building tourism infrastructure as a solution to the undervaluation of tangible resources in the district aligns with the perspectives of Jamaludin et al. (2021), who mention the importance of categorizing and preserving tangible resources, both those that can be moved and those that cannot, as fundamental elements for the identity and culture of a place.
Intangible Heritage Dimension
The level of intangible heritage in Uchuraccay is poor (41%) according to the perceptions of the surveyed villagers, which is reflected in Figure 2. This indicates that local authorities have difficulties in adequately managing non-material resources, such as traditions, knowledge and cultural expressions. As a result, the intangible heritage is not effectively used to develop tourism in the area. To improve this situation, it is necessary to carry out a tourism inventory of the province of Huanta, which will allow an organized recording of cultural and historical resources that can be used to design attractive tourism products for visitors. This is in line with the statements of Zhang, Liu, Wang, et al. (2020) and Zhang et al. (2021), who highlight the importance of intangible heritage as a tool to preserve cultural diversity and adapt to new tourism trends, ensuring its preservation from generation to generation.
The suggestion of carrying out a tourism inventory in Huanta to see the use of intangible heritage aligns with the perspectives of Zhang and Liu (2020), who highlight the composition of intangible heritage, encompassing traditions, expressions, rituals, knowledge and cultural practices, as essential elements that define the originality and distinctive value of a territory.
Environmental Dimension
The environmental dimension of the district of Uchuraccay is classified as medium (42%), according to the opinions of the inhabitants shown in Figure 3. This indicates that the area has a wide variety of natural resources that could promote tourism, but they are not adequately protected to preserve them in the long term. It is therefore necessary for local authorities to allocate a budget for concrete actions, such as maintaining these natural areas and hiring security personnel to monitor their conservation. This is in line with Julianti et al. (2021) and Muhamad et al. (2021), who state that the ecological dimension refers to all the biotic components of a natural area used as a tourist attraction, offering a variety of ecological manifestations as an entertainment factor for tourists.
The proposal to allocate a budget and implement concrete actions to preserve the environmental dimension in Uchuraccay aligns with the statements of Idajati and Nugroho (2019), who highlight that the environmental dimension encompasses all biotic components of a natural area, offering diverse ecological manifestations as tourist attractions. Likewise, they support the importance of this dimension by promoting tourism development and protecting natural resources to conserve natural heritage.
Social Dimension
The social dimension of the Uchuraccay district is perceived as ‘bad’ according to the local inhabitants (49%), as shown in Figure 3. This indicates that the local population is not interested in tourism, lacks knowledge about how to benefit from it, and has a negative perception of it. To remedy this situation, it is necessary to promote greater awareness of tourism among the inhabitants of Huanta through informative talks that will enable them to understand the economic benefits that tourism can generate in the area, and thus create a more positive attitude towards this activity. This approach is supported by Aji (2020) and Kukharenko and Gizyatova (2018), who argue that the social dimension is related to the local activity that tourism generates in different social groups, which includes leadership attitudes, project management, power distribution within the system and the relationships between tourists, businesses and the community that generate a greater supply of opportunities.
This proposal to address the social dimension by promoting tourist awareness and modifying negative perceptions aligns with the perspectives of Liao et al. (2021), who highlight that the social dimension is linked to the local activities generated by tourism, involving leadership attitudes, project management and power distribution. Emphasizing the importance of cultural exchange in the social dimension promoted by tourism, which contributes to the modernization of the place.
Economic Dimension
The economic dimension of the district of Uchuraccay presents a ‘bad’ level (54.23%) according to the inhabitants, as shown in Figure 3, and is associated with a high poverty rate in the area. The implementation of tourism development as an alternative to improve the lifestyle of the villagers is difficult due to the existing economic constraints. Therefore, it is necessary to promote community-based tourism to involve local people in tourism-related economic activities and to directly benefit from new jobs and increased income. This is in line with Wawo et al. (2020) and Özer et al. (2022) who point out that the economic dimension of tourism development includes changes in the economic activity of the place and the improvement in the standard of living of local residents caused by the emergence of new job opportunities in different sectors such as catering, hotels and tourism, as well as participation in the revaluation of heritage.
The proposal to promote community tourism to improve the economic dimension aligns with the perspectives of He et al. (2020), who point out that the economic dimension of tourism development entails changes in local economic activity and improvements in the standard of living of local residents through new job opportunities. In addition to highlighting the effective management of resources and the implementation of investment strategies as key components of the economic dimension for attracting tourists, preserving resources and generating a sustainable economy based on tourism.
PROPOSAL
Based on the results of the survey, a diagnostic model (Figure 4) for cultural heritage is proposed to improve tourism development, enabling the evaluation of the current state and the formulation of concrete strategies to address the problems identified in Uchuraccay.
Strategic Proposal to Improve Tourism Development.
Figure 4, which represents the methodology model to evaluate the relationship between cultural heritage and tourism development in Uchuraccay, is based on the integration of survey results and a review of relevant literature. The current state depicted on the left side of the figure reflects the perceptions of the respondents about the current deficiencies in cultural heritage and tourism development, as evidenced by the survey results and statistical analyzes. For example, the discrepancy between expectations and the actual quality of tangible heritage, noted by 38.65% of respondents who perceive difficulties in its valorization, highlights the need to improve public awareness and investment in the conservation of these cultural resources.
The intervention in sustainable tourism development, located in the centre of Figure 4, serves as a link between the current state and the desired state, suggesting that implementing and improving practices in cultural heritage management could lead to better planning and more effective execution of tourism projects. This part of the figure is based on the results of our research, which reveal positive correlations between the dimensions of cultural heritage and efficient tourism development, as well as on the literature consulted, which provides additional evidence on how to address the identified challenges. Finally, the desired state projects a hypothetical scenario based on existing literature and survey results, anticipating the improvements that could be achieved through the effective implementation of tourism strategies in all their dimensions. The step-by-step relationship between the current state, the intervention in cultural heritage management and the desired state is clearly established, providing a theoretical and practical framework for future research and application in sustainable tourism development.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this research show that the cultural heritage of the district of Uchuraccay, comprising tangible and intangible manifestations such as vernacular architecture, community rituals, traditional clothing and collective memory, represents a resource with high symbolic and social value and significant tourism potential. However, it is currently underutilized due to the limited articulation between local development strategies and the enhancement of heritage as a driver of sustainable tourism.
The analysis of local people’s perceptions identified key barriers to the use of cultural heritage, including the absence of local policies specifically aimed at promoting tourism, limited infrastructure for receiving visitors, and limited training of local actors in tourism management and heritage conservation. Furthermore, the contrast between the current state of the district and the desired scenario revealed the urgent need to define a strategic roadmap that articulates concrete actions at the institutional, community and private levels.
It is therefore recommended that local authorities, in coordination with the regional government and other key actors, evaluate and reformulate existing public policies related to tourism development and cultural heritage preservation. It is crucial to design and implement a comprehensive strategic plan that contemplates the strengthening of local capacities for sustainable tourism management, investment in basic and tourism infrastructure, the implementation of educational programmes on the importance of heritage and the design of promotional campaigns based on authentic and participatory narratives that make the cultural legacy of Uchuraccay visible.
The transition towards an ideal scenario should not only be guided by external models, but by a participatory and contextualized process that values local knowledge, recognizes the sociocultural dynamics of the district and is supported by regulatory frameworks adapted to the rural reality. In short, the valorization of cultural heritage as a tourism development strategy cannot be approached solely from an economic logic. It must be integrated into a broader approach that prioritizes sustainability, inclusion and community identity, thus strengthening the resilience of the territory in the face of the challenges of contemporary development.
LIMITATIONS
Despite its meticulous approach and analysis, this study has limitations that must be recognized to achieve an adequate interpretation of the results. First, reliance on data collected through questionnaires can introduce bias, as responses are subject to respondents’ subjective interpretations. Furthermore, the study’s geographical limitation to Uchuraccay may limit the generalizability of the findings to other regions with different cultural and tourism contexts. The lack of direct evaluation of current policies and strategies on the ground, as well as the absence of longitudinal analysis, may limit the full understanding of the effectiveness of the proposed measures. Furthermore, the focus on local perceptions may not fully capture the complexities of implementing tourism strategies in practice. These limitations highlight the need to interpret the results with caution and underscore the importance of future research that addresses these issues and expands understanding of cultural heritage management and tourism development across diverse contexts.
RECOMMENDATIONS
It is recommended that alliances be established with governmental and non-governmental institutions and organizations to obtain support for the management and conservation of Uchuraccay’s cultural heritage and to promote tourism in the area. Similarly, private investment in the tourism sector should be encouraged, especially in the creation of tourism infrastructure that allows for adequate attention to tourists and the provision of quality services. Finally, the local population should be made aware of the importance of cultural heritage and its link to tourism, to promote its conservation and protection as a fundamental element for the sustainable development of tourism in the district of Uchuraccay.
Footnotes
AUTHORS CONTRIBUTION
RP: Investigation and methodology. FL and LP: Formal analysis. AP: Writing—review and editing. WM: Validation. MAB: Data curation.
DATA AVAILABILITY
Data will be available upon request.
DECLARATION OF CONFLICTING INTERESTS
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.
FUNDING
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship and/or publication of this article: This research has been funded by the Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola.
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