CULTURAL TOURISM IN TRANSITION: EVOLUTION, DIGITAL DISRUPTION, AND RESILIENT PATHWAYS FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.14456/tacr.2025.7Keywords:
Cultural Tourism Dynamics, Digital Heritage Transformation, Post-Pandemic Resilience, Creative Economy, Sustainable Destination ManagementAbstract
This article presents a systematic review of cultural tourism’s multifaceted evolution during the first quarter of the 21st century (2001-2025), a period defined by rapid expansion, global crisis, and structural transformation. Addressing critical gaps in interdisciplinary research, the study employs a documentary methodology to synthesize insights from international reports and peer-reviewed literature. It traces the sector's conceptual shift from traditional tangible heritage to dynamic forms, including creative, gastronomy, and pop-culture tourism. The analysis critically examines the pre-COVID-19 era's economic growth alongside the escalating threats of overtourism and cultural commodification. Subsequently, it evaluates the pandemic's pivotal role as a catalyst for digital disruption, accelerating the adoption of virtual tourism, AI, and the Metaverse. The findings reveal that post-pandemic recovery is characterized by an uneven trajectory, necessitating a paradigm shift towards community-based resilience and environmental sustainability. Conclusively, the paper argues that future viability depends on balancing economic imperatives with socio-cultural integrity. It offers strategic frameworks for policymakers to navigate the digital divide and ethical challenges, positioning this work as a vital reference for understanding the complex interplay between preservation, innovation, and sustainability in the contemporary global tourism landscape.
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