Role of Public Sector and Public Private Partnership in Heritage Management: A Comparative Study of Safdarjung Tomb and Humayun Tomb

Abstract

Heritage cultural tourism is a large and fast-growing tourism product. United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has calculated that it represents 35%-40% of all tourism activities worldwide and is growing at a rate of 15% per annum. Globally more than half of all journeys have some or the other connection to living and built heritage. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for the industry players to save these sites from deterioration and the negative impacts, resulting specially from frequent tourist visits. This paper is a comparative study of the role of Public Sector and Public Private Partnership in India for heritage management. For the purpose of this study, researchers have concentrated on two popular Heritage sites of Delhi- Humayun Tomb and Safdarjung Tomb. Four parameters were identified - Heritage conservation, Tourist Arrival, Visitor Interpretation, and Funding that is received through various government organizations and private players. This paper is descriptive, and qualitative research based on case studies involving comparisons. The qualitative data is further supported by information collected through in depth interviews with various stake holders viz. ASI Delhi Circle, Aga Khan Trust for Culture, Travel agents/operators, tourist guides along with the feedback of Tour & Travel Agents/Escorts. Primary data was also collected from tourists visiting these two sites. This paper proposes to understand which of the two models works best for promoting Heritage Tourism in India.

Keywords: Heritage Sites, Conservation, Public Sector, Public Private Partnerships, Heritage Tourism

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