Identifying the role of intangible cultural heritage in distinguishing cities: A social media study of heritage, place, and sense in Guangzhou, China. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Qiu, Qihang
• Is Part Of: Journal of destination marketing & management. Volume 27(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Intangible cultural heritage -- Place making -- Content Analysis -- Social media -- Guangzhou; Place marketing -- Periodicals; Tourism -- Management -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 658.8005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jdmm.2023.100764
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2212-571X

Abstract

Abstract: Modern cities are facing an identity crisis, and planners are seeking solutions by highlighting differences between cities. Intangible cultural heritage (ICH), which provides a 'cultural soul', can create featured places and specific senses in a city. Based on place making and destination image theorizations, this paper used the Chinese city of Guangzhou as a case to reveal how ICH qualities can contribute to the distinctiveness of a city destination. This assessment uncovered several key themes: 1) ICH, as recognized by tourists, encompasses six elements and seventeen subelements; 2) ICH's importance and popularity are apparent when it accompanies most tourist destinations; 3) ICH enhances places' roles in relation to cultural heritage, especially that directly tied to ICH, whereas modern places seem marginalized in semantic networks; 4) the sense of an entire city shows a significant linear positive correlation with sense of place from ICH; and 5) ICH-based perceptions enrich the diversity of travel experiences and reduce negative impressions of a city. These findings confirm ICH's role in solving the 'placelessness' problem and in creating a positive, unique sense of place. Highlights: Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is popular with residents and foreigners. Semantic Network Analysis is conducted based on reviews from TripAdvisor. ICH centralizes cultural heritage-related places, especially religious sites. ICH enhances travel experiences and marginalizes negative senses.