Cultural itineraries create benefits for tourists and local communities


Cultural routes such as the Great Himalaya Trail in Nepal, the Inca Trail in Peru and the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela in Spain not only provide valuable experiences for travelers but they also generate benefits for local communities.

That's the assessment of the UN World Tourism Organization which has collaborated on a recent report on the subject.

The UN agency says cultural routes can create employment and even help in the development of small businesses.

They can also instill local pride and foster closer ties between visitors and host communities.

The report includes case studies of public-private cooperation to both develop and protect cultural itineraries and attractions.

SOURCE: Dianne Penn, United Nations