UNESCO urban world heritage sites: Tourists' awareness in the era of social media. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Koufodontis, Nikolaos Iason; Gaki, Eleni
• Is Part Of: Cities. Volume 127(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: UNESCO world heritage site -- Urban tourism -- Tourist awareness -- Destination management -- Social media -- Culture; City planning -- Periodicals; Urban policy -- Periodicals; 711.4
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cities.2022.103744
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-2751

Abstract

Abstract: This paper examines the tourists' awareness regarding UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) status of city destinations. A novel theoretical model defining macro and micro levels of analysis is constructed and used as research basis. A global sample of 105 WHS cities is examined together with corresponding user generated content from 2.5 million TripAdvisor reviews. Data collected is verified from various official sources, enriched, and thoroughly analyzed. It is shown that macro level attributes do not play a substantial role, while micro level factors significantly affect how much tourists and locals are aware of or interested in the UNESCO designation. Tourist demographics and representation of a city's attractions in social media are also shown to be important factors influencing the awareness. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Tourists' awareness of urban UNESCO World Heritage Sites is examined. A novel theoretical model is used to analyze tourists' awareness of heritage status. Macro level attributes do not affect the awareness of heritage status. Several micro level attributes affect the awareness of heritage status. Representation of cities on social media affects awareness of heritage status.