Cultural preservation and tourism in Uchuraccay, Ayacucho, Peru: Inspirations from Chinese strategies for a development plan

Abstract

The management of cultural heritage in tourism is fundamental to ensuring the efficient use of natural, archeological, and cultural resources in a region’s tourism development. This study aims to evaluate residents’ perceptions of the relationship between cultural heritage and tourism development in Uchuraccay, Ayacucho, Peru. A questionnaire was administered to 520 residents, assessing the cultural heritage variable, which includes tangible heritage and intangible heritage, and the tourism development variable, which encompasses environmental, social, and economic dimensions. The results indicate that 38.65% of respondents believe tangible heritage faces difficulties in being properly valued due to a lack of public awareness, insufficient investment in conservation, and ineffective promotion. In addition, 40.96% of respondents perceive that intangible heritage is inadequately managed, citing the absence of effective policies and strategies to safeguard and transmit these elements to future generations. These findings highlight the need for a comprehensive assessment of cultural heritage to boost economic development through the implementation of tourism strategies that stimulate economic activity. This study provides valuable information on urban planning, governance frameworks, and empirical knowledge, contributing to informed decision-making by local authorities and the effective management of available resources.