The silk road heritage enhancement for local sustainable tourism development in Bukhara (Uzbekistan). Analysis and diagnosis about the current situation

• Autores: Mukhriddin Kilichov
• Directores de la Tesis: Margarita Cabrera Méndez (dir. tes.), Dolores Teruel Serrano (dir. tes.), Abror Juraev (dir. tes.)
• Lectura: En la Universitat Politècnica de València ( España ) en 2023
• Idioma: inglés
• Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: María José Viñals Blasco (presid.), Mohammed Shunnaq (secret.), Ramón García Marín (voc.)
• Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Industrias de la Comunicación y Culturales por la Universitat Politècnica de València
• Enlaces
  • Tesis en acceso abierto en: RiuNet
• Resumen

  • This thesis conducts a comprehensive, interdisciplinary investigation into the complex interrelationship between heritage tourism and sustainable development, with a focus on the Silk Road heritage in Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Employing qualitative and quantitative research methods, including the analysis of empirical studies, interviews with stakeholders, surveys, and field studies at heritage sites, the research provides an enriched understanding of the issues and opportunities associated with leveraging historical heritage for sustainable tourism initiatives.

    Centered around five core research questions, the study scrutinizes existing challenges in Bukhara's sustainable tourism pathway, such as the inadequacy of infrastructure, lack of effective collaboration between tourism providers and the government, and future prospects of stakeholders. Furthermore, particular attention is paid to the key stakeholders involved, including managers of accommodation facilities, tour operators, and restaurant owners, their role in public-private partnerships at the regional governance level, and their conceptual understanding of "Silk Road" and "Sustainable Tourism". One of the significant components of the research the diagnosis and evaluation of the cultural heritage of the city of Bukhara as well as of the suppliers and infrastructure linked to the tourist destination. This diagnosis and evaluation conclude with the application of a Tourism Aptitude of the Heritages, a Tourism Potential Index for Bukhara and, based on these, a Tourism Model. This model is designed not only to enhance customer trust and the flow of tourists but also to integrate seamlessly with Bukhara's economic and social structures. It proposes practical strategies for heritage conservation, stakeholder collaboration, and sustainable economic growth, serving as a blueprint for similar heritage sites across Central Asia.

    The research offers critical reflections on the results of its findings and advocates for greater public-private sector collaboration and community participation, emphasizing the need for a multidimensional approach to governance implementation. Furthermore, this study reiterates the importance of education and capacity building programs aimed at improving understanding of sustainable tourism practices among service providers.

    Ultimately, this research serves as a significant contribution to the fields of heritage tourism and sustainable development applied to the case study of the Bukhara city heritage site. The study demonstrates that if the historical heritage of the Silk Road in Bukhara is managed by applying stable and inclusive practices it will contribute significantly to the economic and social prosperity of the destination. Furthermore, this model can be extrapolated to other similar heritage sites.