Contribution of Tourism to Cultural Heritage Resilience: An Analysis of Old Towns of Kenya’s Coast

The preservation of cultural heritage in developing countries faces significant challenges, including economic pressures and climatic changes. Despite the cultural and economic importance of heritage, traditional conservation and preservation efforts often struggle against competing industrial development, as seen in places like Lamu. This study examined the role of tourism in enhancing cultural heritage resilience by focusing on issues such as preservation, the interplay between tourism and communities, and the impact on tangible and intangible heritage. Conducted in the culturally rich old towns of Mombasa and Lamu, the research was guided by ecological resilience theory and utilized exploratory and descriptive research approaches to analyze the relationship between tourism, culture, and heritage resilience. The study targeted a population of 470 individuals, including elders, household leaders, and heritage managers, and selected a sample size of 110 participants through multistage cluster sampling. Using purposive and snowball techniques, 15 heritage managers, 40 community household leaders, and 55 elders were chosen. Data collection involved interviews with site managers and household leaders, supported by observation schedules and photography to document cultural heritage. The findings revealed that cultural heritage undergoes various changes due to human interaction and environmental factors. Intangible heritage experienced more frequent shocks (89.9%) compared to built heritage (10.1%). A notable 38.9% of respondents disagreed that tourism significantly contributed to heritage resilience, suggesting that locals do not primarily preserve cultural heritage for tourism purposes. The study concluded that while tourism contributes to the resilience of tangible heritage, local values such as religious practices play a more significant role in sustaining cultural heritage in the old towns. The study recommends involving local leaders in Mombasa and Lamu Old Towns in conservation efforts to ensure the sustainability of both tangible and intangible heritage. It further suggests incorporating Swahili culture into the school curriculum, similar to Maasai and Samburu cultures, to preserve intangible heritage and foster cultural appreciation, with Swahili language learning emphasized for communication and cultural maintenance. A rational resilience framework should be adopted, tailored to address socio-cultural and environmental heritage resilience, balancing ecological and cultural aspects while considering social justice and community perspectives. Lastly, the study highlights the need for specific cultural indicators and monitoring methods to ensure cultural authenticity, as well as policies that integrate sustainable tourism, land use, and infrastructural development to protect cultural heritage systems amidst economic and demographic pressures. Keywords: Tourism, Cultural Heritage Resilience, Old Towns, Coast, Kenya