Fifth International Conference on Tourism & Leisure Studies

Abstract

This study examines the potential of modern built heritage tourism (MBHT) to contribute to community wellbeing (CW). Modern built heritage (MBH) is defined as built heritage from the ‘modern’ era 1920 – 1970 (UNESCO n.d.). The value of MBH is currently in focus in the conservation literature as it is at risk of demolition, alteration, and disrepair due to unplanned development, weak legal protection and low awareness of its’ value among the general public. MBH is accessible for many communities as the heritage of tomorrow and could be further utilised for tourism development. However, a limited number of studies examine the relationship between tourism and MBH. Community wellbeing (CW) has recently been explored recently in the tourism literature as an approach to sustainable development. CW is often determined by access to, and use of, different forms of capital. This approach is considered important for alleviating the negative impacts of tourism development. The literature clearly demonstrates that tourism can contribute to CW. However, the question of “how” tourism contributes to CW requires further consideration. While the overarching aim of the PhD thesis of which this study is a part is to understand how MBHT contributes to CW, this paper focuses on examples of how Art Deco hotels are contributing to CW. Art Deco is selected as an understudied form of MBH (UNESCO, 2013). In depth interviews with hotel managers highlight perceptions of their contributions to CW.