| This thesis explores the complex relationship between heritage conservation and tourism in the Historic Center of Arequipa, a World Cultural Heritage Site in Peru. Although it has been recognized that tourism impacts the people and places where it occurs and, through this, it impacts the tourists' own experience, the challenge that tourism poses to efforts to conserve heritage resources is not always recognized. Even though heritage conservation efforts in Arequipa have been strengthened in the last ten years, tourism has been increasing steadily without appropriate planning, therefore challenging the desired balance between conservation and tourism in the historic center. The relationship between heritage conservation and tourism has been assessed, and tourism opportunities and threats for heritage conservation have been identified. Based on the existing Master Plan for the Historic Center of Arequipa guiding conservation efforts in the city, recommendations for conservation and tourism planning have been established. |
