The Impact of Tourism on the Cultural Heritage of Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Perspectives of Local Residents

Lamichhane, Sushant

4. term

Tourism, Master

2024

2024-05-31

36

Bhaktapur Durbar Square in Nepal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has seen strong tourism growth in recent decades. This thesis explores what the site’s cultural heritage means to people who live and run businesses there, why preservation matters, and how tourism is changing daily life. The study uses qualitative methods: six local residents and business owners took part in semi-structured interviews—guided conversations with open questions—and their responses were analyzed. Participants described clear economic gains from tourism, including new jobs, the expansion of small businesses, and improvements to local infrastructure that have raised living standards. At the same time, rapid growth has brought problems such as overcrowding, pollution, and cultural clashes, for example tensions between local customs and visitor behavior. The findings point to the need for a balanced approach that protects cultural heritage while supporting economic development. Local initiatives already move in this direction. Community members conserve historic buildings using eco-friendly methods, promote responsible waste management, and encourage authentic cultural experiences that respect local traditions. Taken together, these efforts show a commitment to safeguarding the cultural and historical significance of Bhaktapur Durbar Square while welcoming visitors. The study concludes that prioritizing sustainable tourism and heritage preservation can help strike a lasting balance between growth and conservation, protecting the site for future generations and improving the tourism experience.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square i Nepal, der er optaget på UNESCOs verdensarvsliste, har oplevet en markant vækst i turismen i de seneste årtier. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvad stedets kulturarv betyder for de mennesker, der bor og driver virksomheder i området, hvorfor bevaring er vigtig, og hvordan turismen påvirker hverdagslivet. Undersøgelsen bygger på kvalitative metoder: Seks lokale beboere og virksomhedsejere deltog i semistrukturerede interviews—styrede samtaler med åbne spørgsmål—og deres udsagn blev analyseret. Deltagerne pegede på tydelige økonomiske gevinster, herunder nye arbejdspladser, vækst i små virksomheder og forbedret infrastruktur, som tilsammen har løftet levestandarden. Samtidig har den hurtige vækst medført problemer som trængsel, forurening og kulturelle sammenstød, for eksempel spændinger mellem lokale skikke og besøgendes adfærd. Resultaterne peger på behovet for en balanceret tilgang, der beskytter kulturarven og samtidig understøtter økonomisk udvikling. Lokalsamfundet har allerede iværksat flere bæredygtige tiltag, herunder bevaring af historiske bygninger med miljøvenlige metoder, ansvarlig affaldshåndtering og fremme af autentiske kulturelle oplevelser, der respekterer lokale traditioner. Tilsammen viser disse indsatser en stærk vilje til at bevare Bhaktapur Durbar Squares kulturelle og historiske betydning, mens man byder gæster velkommen. Afhandlingen konkluderer, at fokus på bæredygtig turisme og prioritering af kulturarvsbevarelse kan skabe en varig balance mellem vækst og bevaring, beskytte stedet for kommende generationer og forbedre besøgsoplevelsen.

[This apstract has been rewritten with the help of AI based on the project's original abstract]

tourism growth, impacts of tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, preservation, sustainable tourism, community participation

Download PDF
View record in AAU Student Projects