Sharing Economy and Cultural Heritage
Chapter from the book: Güdü Demirbulat, Ö. & Özgürel, G. (eds.) 2026. The Changing Structure of Tourism: Academic Approaches.

Vildan Tüysüz
Sakarya University of Applied Sciences
Serkan Semint
Karamanoğlu Mehmet Bey University

Synopsis

This chapter examines the relationship between the sharing economy and cultural heritage tourism. First, the emergence of the sharing economy, its fundamental characteristics, and its applications in the tourism sector are explained; then, the concept of cultural heritage, the scope of cultural heritage tourism, and UNESCO's efforts to protect cultural heritage are evaluated. The chapter clarifies the tangible and intangible elements of cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of preserving these values through tourism and transmitting them to future generations. Furthermore, the relationship between sharing economy platforms such as Airbnb, VRBO, and Couchsurfing and cultural heritage tourism is examined, noting that these platforms offer tourists the opportunity to experience local culture. The economic, social, and cultural contributions of the sharing economy to cultural heritage tourism are assessed in terms of generating income for local people, increasing cultural interaction, and strengthening the visibility of heritage values. However, risks such as overtourism, cultural commercialization, loss of authenticity, security issues, and legal uncertainties are also addressed. In conclusion, it is emphasized that the sharing economy offers significant opportunities for cultural heritage tourism, but effective planning, monitoring, and conservation policies are necessary for the sustainable utilization of these opportunities.

How to cite this book

Tüysüz, V. & Semint, S. (2026). Sharing Economy and Cultural Heritage. In: Güdü Demirbulat, Ö. & Özgürel, G. (eds.), The Changing Structure of Tourism: Academic Approaches. Özgür Publications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub1365.c5524

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Published

June 30, 2026

DOI