The young generations’ conceptualisation of cultural tourism: colonial heritage attractions in South Korea

ABSTRACT

This study investigates how the younger generation conceptualise cultural tourism attractions associated with modern history in contemporary South Korea. Particular attention in this study is given to heritage attractions built in the Japanese colonising past. By analysing data obtained through a Multiple Sorting Procedure, this study identifies the underlying facets of heritage attractions the younger generation consider to be important when appreciating the heritage attractions. This study examines the socio-psychological properties and meanings that the heritage attractions communicate with respect to young Koreans’ sense of national identity. This study found that a range of constructs emerged in understanding heritage attractions. Social and political meanings embedded in the heritage attractions become a key determinant in appreciating heritage attractions with respect to a sense of national identity. These findings from South Korea suggest invaluable messages that can inform our understanding of, and planning regenerating negative-natured heritage attractions for tourism in contemporary society.

KEYWORDS:

• The younger generation
• heritage attractions
• Japanese colonial rule
• national identity
• a Multiple Sorting Procedure

Acknowledgements

This study was carried out as a part of the first author’s Ph.D. research project at the University of Surrey in 2014, “The impact of the colonial architectural heritage on South Koreans’ national identity”. The authors are grateful all the people who participated in the empirical study carried out in South Korea.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.