What Is Cultural Tourism? Benefits and Examples

Key Takeaways

• Cultural tourism offers meaningful travel through experiences rooted in local traditions, history, food, art, and festivals.
• Cultural tourism benefits both travelers and local communities by encouraging personal growth, preserving cultural heritage, and generating economic support.
• Popular forms of cultural tourism include historical tours, visits to art and architecture, culinary experiences, religious journeys, and participation in festivals.
• For responsible cultural tourism, consider choosing local guides, family-run accommodations, and handmade souvenirs over mass-produced ones.

Studying hospitality opens the door to a career where world culture is at your fingertips. At the Swiss Hotel Management School (SHMS), our students come from every corner of the globe, some with the goal of returning home to share their heritage through hospitality, while others are driven by the desire to live and work internationally. In both cases, cultural tourism plays a central role, as it lies at the heart of most recreational travel.

Today, more and more, people are leaving traveling to connect with local communities, understand the stories behind traditions, and experience daily life from a new perspective.

Cultural tourism speaks to those who care about heritage, who want to learn through experience, and who believe that every place has a story worth hearing.

What Is Cultural Tourism?

Cultural tourism is a form of travel focused on exploring the culture, heritage, and way of life of a particular place. It goes beyond surface-level sightseeing and invites travelers to dive into the traditions, values, and stories that shape a community. This type of tourism is all about connection and getting to know a place through its people, history, and creative spirit.

Cultural tourism might involve attending local festivals, learning traditional crafts, tasting home-cooked meals, or walking through historic neighborhoods with a guide who grew up there. As such, this brings travelers closer to the language, art, music, and customs that define a destination.

Types of Cultural Tourism

Cultural tourism comes in many forms, from art and architecture to food and history. Its types reflect what travelers are most curious to learn, explore, or experience firsthand.

Historical tourism

Historical tourism focuses on exploring places that hold significant importance from the past. This includes ancient cities, battlefields, monuments, and preserved buildings that tell the story of how a region evolved.

This type attracts travelers who are curious about earlier civilizations, world-changing events, or the architecture that has stood the test of time. For many, it's a chance to walk through history and experience it beyond the pages of a book.

Every ruin, museum, or monument offers a window into a different era, helping travelers reflect on the past while deepening their appreciation of the present. Ultimately, it's all about gaining perspective, honoring heritage, and connecting with the identity of a place.

Popular destinations

Standout historical tourism destinations include:

Rome, Italy

• Famous for iconic landmarks such as the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon.
• Offers a deep look into the Roman Empire's political power, architecture, and daily life.
• Feels like an open-air museum where ruins and modern life coexist.
• Ideal for travelers interested in classical history and the roots of Western civilization.

Machu Picchu, Peru

• A UNESCO World Heritage Site nestled high in the Andes.
• Highlights the engineering brilliance and cultural depth of the Inca civilization.
• Features stone temples, agricultural terraces, and panoramic views with spiritual significance.
• Serves as a powerful connection to indigenous heritage and Peru's historical identity.

Art and architecture tours

Art and architecture tourism focuses on a destination through its visual and structural beauty. Travelers drawn to this type of tourism often visit museums, galleries, historic landmarks, cathedrals, and neighborhoods known for their unique designs or artistic movements. It's a way of reading the story of a city through its creativity and design.

From centuries-old cathedrals to modern installations in public spaces, art and architecture tours help travelers see the deeper meaning behind a place's design choices. These experiences reveal how societies have evolved, what they've valued, and how they've chosen to be remembered.

Popular destinations

Typical attractions for art and architectural tourists include:

Paris, France

• Home to the Louvre, one of the most visited art museums in the world.
• Features masterpieces of Gothic architecture like Notre Dame Cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle.
• Rich with artistic legacy, from Impressionist painters to modern fashion designers.
• Offers a blend of classical elegance and contemporary design.

Barcelona, Spain

• Known for the distinctive work of Antoni Gaudí, including the Sagrada Família and Park Güell.
• Combines Gothic and Modernist architecture in neighborhoods like the Gothic Quarter and Eixample.
• Hosts numerous museums, including the Picasso Museum and the National Art Museum of Catalonia.
• A vibrant city where art spills into the streets through colorful mosaics, sculptures, and murals.

Culinary and food experiences

Culinary tourism invites travelers to explore a destination through its food. This type of tourism might involve street food tours, traditional meals with local families, cooking classes, or visits to markets and farms where ingredients are grown and prepared.

Through food, travelers get a direct connection to daily life. Recipes passed down through generations, seasonal ingredients, and local cooking techniques reveal a lot about a place's history and values. Whether sitting at a bustling night market or kneading dough in a quiet village kitchen, culinary tourism feeds curiosity as much as appetite.

Popular destinations

For travelers eager to taste their way through a culture, these cities stand out:

Bangkok, Thailand

• Famous for its street food, with signature dishes like pad Thai, green curry, and mango sticky rice.
• Local markets and floating kitchens give insight into Thailand's food culture.
• Culinary classes often highlight the balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors.

Bologna, Italy

• Known as the heart of Italian cuisine, especially for dishes like tagliatelle al ragù and tortellini.
• Home to traditional food markets like Mercato di Mezzo and countless family-run trattorias (casual Italian restaurants).
• Offers authentic cooking classes and farm visits to explore pasta-making and regional ingredients.

Religious or pilgrimage tourism

Religious or pilgrimage tourism involves travel motivated by faith, spiritual growth, or an interest in religious traditions and sacred heritage. For some, it's a deeply personal journey, a way to seek meaning, healing, or connection to a higher power. For others, it's a cultural experience that offers insight into local beliefs and practices.

This type of tourism encompasses pilgrimages to holy sites, visits to temples or mosques, participation in sacred festivals, and tours of historic places of worship. It brings people face-to-face with centuries-old rituals and traditions that continue to shape communities today.

Popular destinations

For religious tourism experiences, travelers often visit:

Varanasi, India

• One of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities and a major spiritual center for Hindus.
• Known for sunrise rituals, cremation ceremonies, and sacred baths along the Ganges River.
• Offers powerful encounters with themes of life, death, and renewal.

Mecca, Saudi Arabia

• Islam's holiest city and the destination of the Hajj pilgrimage (a spiritual duty for Muslims).
• Welcomes millions of visitors each year from across the globe.
• Access is limited to non-Muslims, but its religious significance is universally recognized and respected.

Festival and event-based tourism

Festival tourism revolves around experiencing a region's culture through its celebrations. These events offer a front-row seat to a community's way of life through music, dance, costumes, food, and shared traditions.

From colorful parades to spiritual rituals, festivals reflect a place's values, history, and identity. This type of tourism can include annual cultural festivals, seasonal events, or religious celebrations that bring together both locals and travelers. It offers a memorable way to connect, learn, and celebrate alongside others.

Popular destinations

Two iconic cities where festivals offer an unforgettable way to experience culture in motion are:

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

• Famous for Carnival, a massive celebration filled with samba music, dancing, and vibrant parades.
• Features elaborate costumes, themed floats, and energetic street parties across the city.
• Offers a chance to witness Afro-Brazilian culture and the artistry behind the celebration.

Kyoto, Japan

• Known for Gion Matsuri, one of Japan's oldest and most elegant festivals.
• Features traditional dress, ornate floats, and Shinto ceremonies dating back centuries.
• Gives travelers a window into Japan's seasonal customs, cultural pride, and attention to detail.

Benefits of Cultural Tourism

Cultural tourism benefits both travelers and local communities by enabling a deeper understanding of each other, supporting local economies, preserving traditions, and creating meaningful exchanges that enrich everyone involved.

For travelers

Cultural tourism turns a regular trip into something far more meaningful. It invites travelers to step into someone else's world, not just to see but to understand. Whether joining a cooking class in a village kitchen or walking through ancient ruins with a local guide, you're not just collecting sights; you're collecting stories, perspectives, and connections.

This kind of travel stays with you. It teaches you to look at the world differently. You may start listening to the music of another language, savoring unfamiliar spices, and asking deeper questions. You return home with more curiosity, a wider sense of empathy, or a new way of looking at your own life.

These experiences forge bonds that transcend borders. They encourage respect for differences, spark appreciation for what unites us, and remind us that the world is full of people worth meeting and cultures worth celebrating.

For local communities

Cultural tourism can be a real lifeline for local communities. When visitors come to experience culture, they're often spending money on locally owned guesthouses, guided tours, handmade crafts, and home-cooked meals. This type of support boosts small businesses and helps entire neighborhoods thrive.

However, the benefits extend well beyond economics. When a community sees outsiders genuinely interested in their traditions, language, or celebrations, it creates a powerful reason to protect those things. Elders pass down songs, stories, and skills. Artists keep creating. Rituals stay alive. 

Perhaps, most importantly, cultural tourism opens space for real exchange. Locals share their world, and in return, they gain new perspectives from those who visit. It's not a one-sided encounter; it's a dialogue. Those conversations are often what make cultural tourism unforgettable for both sides.

Tips for Responsible Cultural Tourism

Cultural tourism is at its best when it's rooted in respect. If you want your travel experience to be meaningful and mindful, here are a few ways to do it right:

• Learn before you go. A little research goes a long way. Knowing a few local phrases or understanding basic customs shows respect and helps avoid unintentional offense.
• Ask before snapping photos. People, especially in traditional dress or during ceremonies, aren't tourist attractions. So, always ask for permission. This shows you're polite and that you see them as individuals, not props.
• Support the locals. Choose local guides, family-run stays, and handmade souvenirs over mass-produced ones. You'll have a more authentic experience and help the local economy thrive.
• Respect sacred spaces. Dress modestly when visiting religious sites, follow posted rules, and behave with quiet curiosity. A respectful presence allows you to observe without disrupting the atmosphere.
• Avoid "human zoos." Be wary of staged or exploitative experiences that turn cultural practices into performances for outsiders. If something feels uncomfortable, forced, or disrespectful, it likely is.
• Tread lightly. Be mindful of your environmental impact. Use refillable water bottles, limit waste, and respect natural and cultural landmarks.

Embracing Culture Through Tourism

Cultural tourism invites travelers to move beyond the expected and experience the heart of a destination: its people, traditions, food, art, and history. It's a rewarding way to see the world while building empathy, deeper understanding, and unforgettable memories. 

Start your cultural tourism immersion by studying at SHMS, where you will live and learn the art of hospitality in historically significant palace hotels and discover the rich history and culture of the Swiss Riviera and Alpine regions. If you're passionate about travel, connection, and culture, our Bachelor of Arts in International Hospitality Management is the perfect place to get started.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is cultural tourism suitable for solo travelers?

Absolutely. Cultural tourism is an excellent choice for solo travelers. Many cultural tours and workshops are social, safe, and great for meeting locals and fellow explorers.

How do I find authentic cultural experiences when traveling?

To avoid tourist traps, seek out local guides, community-based tours, or cultural centers recommended by residents or trusted travel resources. Personal recommendations often lead to the most genuine encounters.

Is cultural tourism expensive?

Not necessarily. Many authentic experiences, like street food tours, local festivals, or museum visits, are budget-friendly and offer great value.