Social Perspective about the Evolution of a Cultural Asset as a World Heritage Site. Case Study: The Palmeral of Elche

Abstract

Cultural heritage has become a touristic attraction, especially those elements recognized as World Heritage Sites, generating great growth in the cultural tourism sector during recent decades. Given the importance of this phenomenon, the purpose of the following research is to analyze the tourism-heritage impact of the UNESCO organization within a specific World Heritage Site. In this case, the study is focused on The Palmeral of Elche (Alicante, Spain), an oasis-type irrigated agro-system recognized as a Cultural Site by UNESCO in 2000. To carry out this analysis, a theoretical review and a qualitative methodology have been implemented. The techniques used were participant observation, creation of thematic mapping, and in-depth interviews with different social agents linked to this cultural landscape from the Al-Andalus period. As a conclusion, possible responsible and sustainable actions have been determined within the social, heritage and tourist framework.