Heritage & Cultural Tourism

This practical CPD course is designed for professionals working in tourism, heritage, culture, visitor attractions, and destination management. It explores how heritage and culture shape tourism experiences, products, and destinations, while examining the opportunities and challenges involved in managing these valuable resources in a rapidly changing global environment.

Participants will develop a deeper understanding of heritage and cultural tourism, explore international case studies, and gain insights that can be applied to tourism development, visitor engagement, destination planning, and cultural sector practice.

To view the module descriptor (TOUR09033), please visit Programme Specifications and Module Descriptors 

Who is this course for?

This course is suitable for:

• Tourism professionals seeking to develop specialist knowledge of heritage and cultural tourism
• Staff working in museums, galleries, heritage attractions, and cultural organisations
• Destination management and tourism development professionals involved in creating visitor experiences
• Heritage managers and cultural sector practitioners responsible for preserving and promoting cultural assets
• Marketing and visitor engagement professionals working within tourism and heritage settings
• Early-career professionals looking to build expertise in a growing tourism niche
• Individuals with an interest in the relationship between heritage, culture, and tourism development

 

Why take this course?

Heritage and cultural tourism play a significant role in attracting visitors, supporting local economies, and shaping destination identities. As destinations seek to balance economic growth with cultural preservation and community interests, professionals need a deeper understanding of the opportunities, challenges, and debates surrounding this important sector.

This course provides the knowledge and analytical skills needed to evaluate heritage and cultural tourism products, understand their wider social and cultural significance, and make informed decisions that support sustainable and meaningful visitor experiences.

 

What you will learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• Analyse the role of heritage and culture within the tourism industry
• Evaluate the growth and development of heritage and cultural tourism in both natural and built environments
• Examine the place of heritage and culture within contemporary society
• Assess the relevance of heritage and cultural tourism in an international and globalised context
• Critically evaluate tourism products and experiences that draw on cultural and heritage assets
• Apply insights from international case studies to real-world tourism and destination management contexts

 

How you will learn

This course combines tutor-led learning, discussion, case study analysis, and independent study to provide a practical understanding of heritage and cultural tourism.

You will learn through:

• Tutor-led sessions exploring key concepts, debates, and developments in heritage and cultural tourism
• Analysis of international case studies highlighting different approaches to tourism development and visitor engagement
• Interactive discussions examining the relationship between culture, heritage, identity, and tourism
• Exploration of contemporary issues affecting heritage destinations and cultural tourism experiences
• Independent reading, research, and reflective activities that support deeper understanding and professional application
• Opportunities to apply learning to real-world tourism, heritage, and cultural sector challenges

 

Course content

The course explores the relationship between heritage, culture, and tourism, examining how these concepts shape destinations, visitor experiences, and tourism development.

• Understanding Heritage and Cultural Tourism
• Heritage, Identity, and Place
• Tourism Development and Visitor Experiences
• Contemporary Debates and Challenges
• International Perspectives
• Heritage and Cultural Tourism in a Globalised World

 

Assessment

Assessment is designed to help you apply course concepts to real-world tourism, heritage, and cultural contexts.

You will complete a case study presentation examining a heritage or cultural tourism example, exploring the factors that influence its development, management, and visitor experience. This develops your ability to communicate informed analysis and present findings clearly to different audiences.

You will also complete an individual written assessment that allows you to explore key issues, debates, and challenges within heritage and cultural tourism in greater depth.

Through the assessment, you will develop your ability to:

• Analyse heritage and cultural tourism products and experiences
• Evaluate contemporary issues affecting tourism destinations and attractions
• Apply insights from case studies to practical tourism contexts
• Communicate evidence-based findings and recommendations effectively
• Critically assess the role of heritage and culture within the tourism industry

The assessment focuses on practical understanding and informed decision-making that can be applied within tourism, heritage, and cultural sector roles.

 

Applying your learning

Throughout the course, you will:

• Explore how heritage and culture influence tourism experiences and destination development
• Examine real-world examples from a range of international contexts.
• Analyse contemporary challenges facing heritage and cultural tourism organisations
• Evaluate different approaches to managing and promoting cultural and heritage assets
• Reflect on the wider social, cultural, and economic impacts of tourism

You will leave with:

• A stronger understanding of the heritage and cultural tourism sector
• Greater confidence in evaluating tourism products, attractions, and visitor experiences
• Enhanced analytical, research, and communication skills
• Practical insights that can inform tourism planning, destination management, visitor engagement, and cultural sector practice
• Knowledge that can be applied across tourism, heritage, culture, and destination development roles

 

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements for this course.

The course is suitable for professionals working within tourism, heritage, culture, visitor attractions, and destination management, as well as individuals with a broader interest in the role of heritage and culture within tourism.

Participants should be prepared to engage with case studies, discussions, and independent study at SCQF Level 9. Previous experience within tourism, heritage, or cultural sectors may be beneficial but is not essential.

 

Certification

Upon successful completion, participants will be awarded 20 credits at SCQF Level 9.

These credits may contribute towards further undergraduate or postgraduate study where appropriate and in line with University regulations.

 

Sector and workforce relevance

This course reflects the challenges, opportunities, and developments shaping the contemporary tourism, heritage, and cultural sectors. Through the use of international case studies and real-world examples, participants will explore how heritage and cultural assets are managed, interpreted, and developed to create meaningful visitor experiences.

The content is informed by current industry issues including destination development, visitor engagement, cultural representation, sustainability, and the management of heritage resources. This ensures that learning remains relevant to professionals working across tourism, heritage, cultural organisations, visitor attractions, and destination management.

 

NOTE: This is a university module and upon approval of your application, you will be invited to register and then supported to complete enrolment. To enrol on the university system, the first step involves security set-up using the Microsoft Authenticator app; you will need to ensure that you have a compatible smartphone.

Further enrolment information is available at the Student Information Portal.

To access this module via the CPD route, individuals should be ordinarily resident in Scotland.