Global Heritage Tourism And Environmental Sustainability: A Review Of Hyung Yu Park’s Heritage Tourism

Abstract

Heritage Tourism by Hyung Yu Park (2014) offers a comprehensive examination of how heritage is conceptualized, managed, and commodified in the tourism context. This review critically evaluates Park’s work, focusing on its theoretical frameworks and engagement with key debates in heritage tourism. The book’s treatment of authenticity, commodification, the global–local nexus and environmental sustainability is analyzed. Comparative international case studies from Vietnam, Nepal, the UK and beyond are highlighted to assess the empirical relevance of Park’s arguments. While the book excels in integrating perspectives from anthropology, sociology, geography, and management, it is critiqued for occasionally heavy reliance on referenced material with limited continuous analysis. The review discusses the work’s contributions to theory and practice, its originality and limitations, and implications for tourism planning, heritage governance, and future research.