Investigating space heritage interpretation for tourism development and heritage preservation at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Tiberghien, G. (2024) Investigating space heritage interpretation for tourism development and heritage preservation at Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan. Tourism Planning and Development, (doi: 10.1080/21568316.2024.2319145) (Early Online Publication)

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Abstract

Space heritage has become a new source of tourism development for destinations where major spaceports are located. As the world's first and largest operational spaceport for orbital and human launches, the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan stands out for its historical significance, but its heritage remains largely uninterpreted for tourism. Particularly, the environmental impacts induced by terrestrial space activity on surrounding environments and communities are overlooked in local museums and guided tours. Using a qualitative case study research approach with twenty-six stakeholders directly or indirectly involved in the management of Baikonur, this study explores how post-Soviet space heritage is interpreted and presented by various stakeholders involved in the development of tourism. Three themes are identified for planning implications at the Cosmodrome: governance of Baikonur and space heritage interpretation; space heritage interpretation and environmental issues; and multi-stakeholder roles in space heritage preservation and development.

Item Type:Articles
Additional Information:This work was supported by School of Social and Environmental Sustainability Research Fund 2022-23: [Grant Number ].
Keywords:Space heritage, heritage interpretation, tourism development, heritage preservation, Baikonur, Kazakhstan.
Status:Early Online Publication
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Tiberghien, Dr Guillaume
Authors: Tiberghien, G.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social & Environmental Sustainability
Journal Name:Tourism Planning and Development
Publisher:Taylor and Francis
ISSN:2156-8316
ISSN (Online):2156-8324
Published Online:22 February 2024
Copyright Holders:Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s)
First Published:First published in Tourism Planning and Development 2024
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons licence

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