Cultural tourism definition: any type of travel that leads you to a connection to the people, land, beliefs, art, philosophies, history, architecture and/or customs of another region. Ultimately, it’s one of the most enriching forms of travel there is.
Cultural tourism definition: i.e. what the heck is it?
Welcome to Wandering Carol’s Cultural Tourism category page. First let me tell you what cultural tourism is and why you should do it. Or, feel free to scroll down to any of the cultural tourism travel blog posts below.
What is Culture Tourism?
It’s not easy to come up with the perfect cultural tourism definition. Why? Because cultural travel can be just about any type of travel at all! But, as I have an entire category on this travel blog about Cultural Tourism I’ll do my best to define it.
Don’t get shut out of cultural travel.
Cultural Tourism Definition #1
Cultural tourism is the pursuit of cultural experiences. There. How’s that? Not enough? Okay I’ll try again.
Milan Cathedral, a cultural highlight
Cultural Tourism Definition #2
Cultural tourism is the act of travelling in order to explore another region’s culture.
What types of cultural tourism are there?
- Cultural travel can be historic: Think castles, the Tower of London, the Empress Sisi of Austria.
- It can be artistic: Think music in Budapest, the Louvre in Paris, traditional Balinese dancing in Ubud.
- Cultural travel can be educational: Think studying Flamenco dancing in Barcelona, going to Korean language school in Seoul.
- Cultural tourism can relate to indigenous cultures: Think hill tribes in Burma; Wanuskewin Heritage Park in the Canadian prairie city of Saskatoon (I’m giving my hometown a plug here), a tour of Soweto in South Africa.
- It can be religious: Think temples in Luang Prabang, Amazon shamans in Peru, Stonehenge, Aachen Cathedral in Germany.
- It can be memorial: Think Dieppe, Auschwitz, the 9/11 Memorial in New York.
- Cultural travel can be architectural: Think Architecture River Cruises in Chicago, King Herod’s hilltop fortress if Masada overlooking the Dead Sea in Israel and the Pyramids of Giza.
Get cultured!
The Best Definition of Cultural Tourism
Finally, my most heartfelt cultural tourism definition is that it’s any type of trip that brings you, the traveller, into contact with another culture. It means connecting with the people, land, manners, philosophies and customs of another place.
Whether you add a single cultural attraction to your holiday, or want to dive in over your head, cultural tourism can expand your horizons, promote a better understanding of the world around you and bring you closer to your global neighbours. Ultimately, cultural travel is the most enriching type of travel of all.
