Limits of Sustainability in Archaeological Tourism: An Exercise on the United Arab Emirates

Adriaan De Man ()
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Adriaan De Man: Department of Tourism and Heritage, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain P.O. Box 15551, United Arab Emirates

Tourism and Hospitality, 2025, vol. 6, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: The economic resources of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) follow a national diversification strategy that aims at sustainable growth. In this scenario, archaeological tourism plays a significant role in affirming cultural heritage but remains dependent on variables that are difficult to manipulate. This paper examines not only the opportunities but also the structural constraints of developing archaeology-based tourism propositions in a rapidly growing and highly competitive economy. The UAE counts on multiple sites, all of which face a combination of challenges to sustainable development. These comprise commercial tensions, environmental and infrastructural concerns, perspectives on authenticity, as well as global socioeconomic pressure. Such constraints are analyzed by tapping into the existing literature and recommendations for policymakers are offered in order to balance heritage conservation with economic growth. The findings emphasize the need for prioritizing community engagement and favoring sustainable representations of Emirati archaeology.

Keywords: archaeology; leisure; sustainable development goals; VoS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Z3 Z30 Z31 Z32 Z33 Z38 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jtourh:v:6:y:2025:i:4:p:160-:d:1730122

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