Shared Heritage, Divergent Paths: Heritage Tourism Development in UNESCO Fortified Church Villages of Transylvania, Romania

Heritage tourism development in UNESCO World Heritage Sites with fortified churches in Transylvania, Romania, varies significantly despite shared cultural significance. The study reveals that each of the seven designated villages has adopted distinct strategies to leverage their heritage, reflecting differences in demographic traits, linguistic-cultural backgrounds, and management approaches. Researchers analyzed municipal tourism data and communication activities using content analysis, focusing solely on online materials. While Romania joined UNESCO's Convention in 1990 and inscribed these sites between 1993 and 1999, the lack of a unified strategy underscores the challenges of harmonizing heritage conservation with local development goals.

Nagyné Molnár, M., Nemes, E., Csizmadia, T., & Nagy, J. G. (2026). Shared Heritage, Divergent Paths: Heritage Tourism Development in UNESCO Fortified Church Villages of Transylvania, Romania. Heritage, 9(3), 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9030116