Problems in selling heritage for tourism: a cautionary tale, with insights from Europe’s (pen)insular margins

Borobudur Temple Compounds, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Central Java, Indonesia, faces significant challenges in leveraging tourism for socio-economic development. Despite its status as a major tourist attraction and a symbol of cultural heritage, the site struggles to fully capitalize on its potential due to complex socio-political dynamics. The temple complex, which includes Borobudur, Mendut, and Pawon Temples, underwent extensive restoration between 1973 and 1983 under UNESCO coordination but continues to grapple with issues such as balancing tourism development with cultural preservation, particularly in a predominantly Muslim region where Buddhist practices are maintained. The study highlights the need for more nuanced approaches to heritage tourism that address local context, religious sensitivities, and sustainable economic benefits.

(Ed.). (2013). Problems in selling heritage for tourism: a cautionary tale, with insights from Europe’s (pen)insular margins. Contemporary Issues in Cultural Heritage Tourism, 87–98. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203583685-17