Heritage potential's mobilisation: challenges and development prospects the case of Guelma in Algeria
Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development
ISSN: 2044-1266
Article publication date: 18 November 2021
Issue publication date: 23 November 2023
Abstract
Purpose
The region of Guelma, located in the northeast of Algeria, is characterised by its important natural and cultural heritage. This heritage is ignored and abandoned, which leads to its degradation and even its disappearance. Thus, it is imperative to seek to know and understand the reasons for this situation. This study aims to reveal the constraints of heritage promotion and its staging through its insertion in the development process.
Design/methodology/approach
A hypothetical–deductive approach based on a qualitative method using surveys was carried out on the knowledge of the heritage of Guelma by the actors concerned. The laws and classification procedures were interpreted to identify the heritage's stakes to ensure sustainable local development through tourism.
Findings
The results show the lack of recognition of the natural and cultural heritage by the region's population, the cumbersome, long and complex classification procedure. The weakness of the offer in terms of tourist infrastructures constitutes a handicap to the valorisation of the heritage and prevents the enhancement and development of tourism. Systematically, heritage does not contribute to the local and territorial development of the Guelma region.
Originality/value
The article underlines the importance of raising awareness among the various heritage stakeholders and actors, and first, the population, of the value of their natural and cultural heritage to make it profitable and a driving force for local and territorial development.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Pr. Hocine Bougdah, University of Westminster, the United kingdom, for his encouragements and the valuable advices that made this paper possible. The author also thank Pr. Sassia Spiga from Annaba university for the orientations she gave, which allowed to enhance the author’s research.
Citation
Zerti, M. and Benrachi, B.L. (2023), "Heritage potential's mobilisation: challenges and development prospects the case of Guelma in Algeria", Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, Vol. 13 No. 4, pp. 777-793. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCHMSD-11-2020-0161
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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