A visitor flow management process for touristified archaeological sites |
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Authors: | Fernando Enseñat-Soberanis Oscar Frausto-Martínez Manuel Gándara-Vázquez |
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Institution: | 1. Division of Sustainable Development, University of Quintana Roo, Cozumel, Mexico;2. School of Anthropology, Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán, Merida, Mexico;3. National School of Conservation, Restoration and Museography-INAH, Mexico City, Mexico |
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Abstract: | In recent decades the number of visitors to archaeological sites has increased exponentially. This increase has generated both negative and positive impacts. This article proposes a Visitor Flow Management Process (VFMP) that aims to minimize the negative impacts and enhance the benefits visitor flows can have in touristified archaeological sites. Although several proposals for visitor management frameworks exist for natural protected areas, for archaeological sites there are only isolated strategies and actions. Following a review of the literature on the visitor impacts and visitor management strategies implemented in 11 touristified archaeological sites around the world, 96 visitor management measures were identified, classified and synthesized into a three stage-process: (1) Restrict the number of visitors; (2) Redistribute visitor flows in time and space and (3) Interpret the archaeological site considering the mass influx of visitors. VFMP is a useful tool for heritage site managers dealing with mass tourism, whose implementation can contribute to reducing damage to heritage and enhancing the quality of the visitor experience. |
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Keywords: | Visitor impacts cultural tourism heritage management visitor management strategies archaeological sites |
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