UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITY OF ASSESSING CULTURAL HERITAGE’S ECONOMIC IMPACT ON THE ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY OF A TOURISM DESTINATION: THE CASE OF SPLIT, CROATIA

Abstract

The purpose of this conceptual study is to define the possibilities and constraints of assessing the economic impact of tangible cultural heritage on the economic sustainability of a tourism destination. To achieve this goal, the following were critically analysed: (1) strengths and limitations of previously used assessment approaches and techniques; and (2) sustainable development indicators for urban tourism destinations that contain world-class cultural heritage sites. The case study used in this research is an urban cultural heritage site listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, namely the Historical Complex of Split with the Palace of Diocletian, Croatia, and the associated tourism destination setting. Observational and case study methods were used. Despite all previous efforts to prevent miscalculations and develop a technique that would best suit the tangible cultural heritage valuation process, findings suggest that each cultural heritage site has unique characteristics and requires its own approach to assessing its value and impact. Moreover, such findings have further implications for the UNESCO World Heritage List and the management of World Heritage sites.