CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE CONTRIBUTION OF HERITAGE TO THE UK TOURISM

CRITICALLY EVALUATE THE plowsh argon OF HERITAGE TO THE UK TOURISMIn the raiseth of an economy there ar those activities that contri neverthelesse a lot to the growth they act as the anchorman of the economy. harmonise to Boyd Timothy (2003) The UK has diversified such(prenominal) activities and stoppageism has contri stilled to huge net income in the hoidenish that has bygone ahead of other sparing earning activities. investing in hereditary pattern tourism has proved to pay dividends to the UK economy and has not disappointing since its inception. This paper critic all in ally evaluates the region of inheritance to the UK tourism application outlining the benefits that has come with it. Billions of pounds take for been earned as income to the UK economy contri saveing a lot to the gross domestic products. It tackles the historical context of hereditary pattern, the honor and percentage of heritage to tourism, the supply and demand of heritage and gives accompani ments and figures on the issues.As explained by Davies Prentice (1995) numerous inflictants have flocked to visitors the heritage sites such as museums to image a taste of what UK has to offer. hereditary pattern on the other hand consists of confused types of tourism these include events and festivals focused on heritage and traditions physical draw pokers for obiter dictum museums and heritage centers destinations that argon associated with renowned people holiday found packages e.g. tours to old-fashioned sites routes and journeys aligned to heritage place themes in heritage historic events and handed-down functions.The benefits that come along with tourism firstly include direct benefits such as businesses issuance of tourism products and services. According to the Deloitte Report (2008) there circulating(prenominal) contribution to the economy for direct benefits amount to 52 zillion which incorpo rate 3.7% of the GDP. This figure has incorporated value accompanim ent to the tourism related products. on that point were likewise 1.36 cardinal jobs in 2007 supported directly by tourism. These figures have risen to 85 billion and 86 billion in 2005 to 2007 (Deloitte Report, 2008). Secondly, is the contribution there is indirect benefits that include support given to tourism businesses. third there ar spill over benefits that include retail, manufacturing and health and tone services (Deloitte Report, 2008).In focus to the heritage tourism all(prenominal) phaeton has his or her taste this calls for various activities to tap e precise touring car to enjoy. The destinations, museums, tour operators have customized the heritage tourism to unalike levels which makes it possible for every tourist to be attracted in one way or the other. As declared in Light (1996) in heritage Tourism and Historic Towns the training of tourist holidays where they are related to an aspect of tourism e.g. art fib or historic railway development and touring he ritage sites where tourists are maneuver to. hereditary pattern tourism has been segmented in to three where the first are individuals who excursion independently groups who travel on shared heritage interests and groups who travel together without a common interest in heritage (De objet dartment for Culture, Media and Sport, 2009). underdeveloped ways to get attractions for these segments has played a significant role in the development of tourism since there are customized products developed to target all(prenominal) segment.Heritage has brought about various benefits and is very important to the economy of UK. Heritage tourism is a major attraction for tourists from other countries which provide jobs and network to locals (Nuryanti, 1996). It is overly a major source of foreign currency. In addition it provides revenue that is used for various beneficial purposes such as conservation. It alike kick upstairss the image of the state of matter making it a major tourist attr action for levelers.Heritage tourism is concentrated in capital of the United Kingdom, historical sites such as the York, Lincoln, and Edinburgh the Stratford-upon-Avon Shakespeare and Wordsworth Grasmere and other famous people and famous sites e.g. Stonehenge (Davies, Prentice, 1995).The Heritage drawing strain (HLF) has been involved in the development and investiture of tourism in the UK. According to the HLF report released in 2010 heritage tourism had contributed to a massive 20.6 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (The Heritage Lottery gunstock report, 2009). This was high than any other product or services application such as advertising, filming, and car manufacturing in the UK. This highlights the need for amplificationd investment so that there can be huge and better returns. It has besides contributed to 195,000 full time equivalent jobs that has originated from historic buildings, the country berth, parks, and museums (The Heritage Lottery descent repor t, 2009). This means that the capability of heritage can be used to go through the country grows and develops broadly from the earnings.Figure 1 heritage based visitor economy (Source The Heritage Lottery investment firm report, 2009)To critically collapse the earnings and activities in the diligence there were to a greater extent that 10 billion trips made by tourists from foreign countries to the UK annually where 4 out of every 10 citing heritage as the make motif behind the visits this was more than any other single factor contributing to the trips. In addition, heritage tourism is worth 12.4billion annually which is spent by the attracted visitors in heritage sites (The Heritage Lottery gillyflower report, 2009). This includes money spent in entree fees to the heritage sites and other purchases that are done connected to heritage products and motivation e.g. buying at curio shops, or restaurants and accommodation expenses for the tourists.Domestic tourism also know n as staycation is also another source of income and part of the 12.4billion earned (The Deloitte Report, 2008). An estimated 60% is obtained from domestic tourism where residents have supported their country grow though daily visits to such sites (The Deloitte Report, 2008). A whooping 7.3billion has been spent in expenditure in the heritage industry where or so of the money has gone to building, renovations and maintenances of heritage attractions, parks and museums. The GDP of the country has continued to benefit a lot from this investment where an estimated at 7.4 billion annually has been earned as salaries and wages, profits and income by the tourism business community including hotels, curio shops, restaurants, and also the heritage sites included (The Deloitte Report, 2008). The addition of economic multipliers to the earnings such as proceeds earned by suppliers to the tourism dealings the annual extreme GDP contributed by heritage tourism hits highs of 20.6 billion annua lly.Figure 2 showing the heavens contribution to the UK GDP (Source The Heritage Lottery Fund report, 2009)It is with no doubt that these earning can be increased to higher figures in next through taping in to the high likely in heritage tourism. This means that the government in collaboration with the tourism departments essential come up with more entrancing policies that will ensure financing to tourism so that it has the framework that will support it have the vanquish earnings (Nuryanti, 1996). In view of the fact that tourism is a turbulent growing industry and it can contribute maximally to those who invest in it the unique part of heritage tourism should be advanced in the UK so that it becomes the leading figure in it. With such measures the countrys tourism sector will remain vivacious and sustainable presently and in future (The British Tourism Review, 2009).Heritage tourism is the 5th largest industry in the UK this is contributed by the fact that the UK has a rich and vibrant heritage and very important not only to the numerous visitors who flock the country but also for the local, regional and national economies (Nuryanti, 1996). It has been revealed that a huge percentage of the visitors to the UK do so on the grounds of heritage, pageantry, history and culture. In tapping more to the potential of tourism through effective tourism weeks, marketing of the tourist sites and attractive holiday destinations the country stands to reap maximum benefits (The British Tourism Review, 2009). The HLF should enhance adaptability, welcome, place making, choice of goods and services, skills, quality, access, and information provision so as to ensure a successful industry (Nuryanti, 1996).The HLF should be driven by the fact that tourists spend on the basis of relation back cost/bilateral turn rates, destination attractiveness, overall Gross Domestic Product (GDP), consumer expenditure, and investment. thither should also be effective management of factors such as security/safety, alternatives (availability/relative cost), taxation, globalization, incomes and inflation so that the visitors can have confidence in the trips to the country (VisitBritain, 2009).sSecurity is a major concern especially with the development of terrorism and many a(prenominal) terror threats coming from terror groups that act as militia. Security may come as a threat in view of the London bombings and suicide bombings occurring globally targeted at developed countries. There must be more segmentation of tourist products to enable all people of different income levels are able to visit the sites while taxation needs to be checked to ensure the participants in the heritage tourism industry are not affected negatively in their business. The HLF cannot do this alone but needs the help of all the stakeholders who must contribute to ensure an effective tourism industry majoring on heritage as an asset.According to the Heritage Lottery Fund report, (2009) the HLF has the mandate to make this dream a man because it remains very vicious and is achievable through proper mechanism. The approximately recent has been the investment of 4.4 billion since 1994. The funding involved eight of the most attraction in England, twenty one of UKs world heritage sites and 14 national parks (The Heritage Lottery Fund report, 2009). Over the historic period there have been extensive studies on the progress of the investment where visitor surveys and economic impact studies.In the studies it has been found out that typical increase in the number of visitors by more than 50% 88% of visitors rate the value for money of HLFs investment as either good or excellent an estimated 32,000 jobs have been sustained in the tourism sector as a direct result of HLF funding and every 1million of HLF funding leads to an increase in tourism revenues for regional economies of 4.2million over 10 years (The Heritage Lottery Fund report, 2009).The HLF focuses on enhanci ng heritage tourism through exploiting the potential in the strengths of the country which include natural/historical/cultural assets the slope language accommodation food and drink and international connections (history and transport) (Boyd, Timothy, 2003). With these advantages on their side they are able to build a strong empire that contributes to vibrant growth in the economy and development of other vital sectors.There are weaknesses that make this exploitation a challenge which according to the The British Tourism Review, 2009 in the article Achieving The Full Potential Of The Visitor rescue include transport infrastructure expense of visit not value for money (e.g. visitors pay the second highest amount of tax in the world) logistics (e.g. Visas) are expensive and complicated to attain compared with other countries welcome and skills of people in the industry and short summer seasons.In the Heritage Lottery Fund report (2009) it is estimated that 53% of people who make t rips annually do so to experience what historic towns and cities have to offer 42% make visits to the museums and galleries, translating to 40 million people annually visiting museums and galleries. 10 million trips are made to the historic parks, 1.2 billion visit the country side, 38 million visit historic buildings cathedrals and castles and an estimated 250 million visit the Britains inland natural features such as canals and waterways. Putting into consideration the high potential in the tourism sector can grow explicitly if developed as cited by the HLF report Investing in success the tourism economy is estimated to grow by 2.6% annually between the years 2009 and 2018 this is a much higher estimate that the 0.8% estimated growth in retailing, manufacturing and construction sectors (The Heritage Lottery Fund report, 2009).In conclusion the potential in the heritage industry is immense and with the numerous gains there is need to ensure they are safeguarded from any destruction . much efforts are needed to make sure the full potential is achieved so that the economy can grow sustainable. Sustainable management should be key issues in the maintenance so that visitors can be encouraged to visit not just one time but numerously so as to increase income. The HLF has the challenge to make better policies that will ensure all the potential is exploited and also sustainable use of the resources. The UK government through HLF should make sure should develop policies that maximize on both ledger and value enhance adaptability, and support long term sustainable economic growth. A more efficient and effective heritage tourism industry should not only be the goal of the HLF and the government but also all stakeholders that benefit either directly or indirectly. There should also be very tactical measures that ensure improved domestic heritage tourism which will not only make earnings but also teach the locals about their traditions and heritage.