Reading

Culture has always been a major object of travel, as the development of the Grand Tour from the 16th century onwards attests. In the 20th century, some people have claimed, culture ceased to be the objective of tourism: tourism is now culture. Cultural attractions play an important role in tourism at all levels, from the global highlights of world culture to attractions that underpin local identities.  Culture, heritage and the arts have long contributed to appeal of tourist destination. However, in recent years ‘culture’ has been rediscovered as an important marketing tool to attract those travellers with special interests in heritage and arts.

Heritage tourism is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry because there is a trend toward an increased specialization among tourists. This trend is evident in the rise in the volume of tourists who seek adventure, culture, history, archaeology and interaction with local people.

Heritage tourism is important for various reasons; it has a positive economic and social impact, it establishes and reinforces identity, it helps preserve the cultural heritage, with culture as an instrument it facilitates harmony and understanding among people, it supports culture and helps renew tourism. Cultural heritage tourism has a number of objectives that must be met within the context of sustainable development such as; the conservation of cultural resources, accurate interpretation of resources, authentic visitors experience, and the stimulation of the earned revenues of cultural resources. We can see, therefore, that cultural heritage tourism is not only concerned with identification, management and protection of the heritage values but it must also be involved in understanding the impact of tourism on communities and regions, achieving economic and social benefits, providing financial resources for protection, as well as marketing and promotion.

Try to answer these questions in 10 minutes. You cannot write more than three words each answer. Some answers may demand only one word.  

1.       Culture has been ……………….of travel

2.       16^th century is known for…………….

3.       Now tourism has turned to be……………………..

4.       These days culture is a ………………….to attract tourists.

5.       In the past century culture was taken by some to have nothing to do with……………….

6.       Specialization among tourists has made tourism………………………

7.       Heritage tourism cements and fosters…………………

8.       The conservation of cultural resources is part of…………...

9.       Cultural tourism must involve in realizing the …………….tourism

10.   Cultural tourism needs to offer ……………..for protection.

A real reading gives you 20 minutes for every section, and the passage will be two time bigger than this, there will be three such texts, but you have to answer some 14/13/13 questions of minimum three types in all three sections. Here is a token for a try.