Promoting Public Awareness on the Existing Cultural Heritage Tourism Sites: A Case of Dar es Salaam City
This study was designed to identify and assess means and ways to promote public awareness on the existing cultural heritage tourism sites in Dar es Salaam City. Specifically, it sought to assess extent to which available heritage assets were known to general public; to identify means used to promote public awareness on the existing cultural heritage assets; to assess the effectiveness of public awareness creation strategies on available heritage assets; and to examine environment suitable to support public awareness campaigns on heritage assets. To do so, questionnaire was administered to 54 community members and 20 tourists conveniently chosen, while interview was conducted to 10 key informants from responsible institutions. Findings show that most of the cultural heritage assets were known in general but only few of the places were known as cultural heritage tourism sites. Main source of knowledge for majority was informal education and training programs in schools, colleges and universities. Moreover, mass media was considered as main means of promoting cultural heritage tourism.. However, public awareness creation strategies on available heritage assets were considered somehow effective as some sources which could be useful were inadequately accessible. Emphasized environment for public awareness aspects include support in terms of funding, suitable heritage tourism policies, making cultural heritage a priority by responsible authorities, and government prioritization in budgeting and organization of cultural heritage related things. It was also called for sponsored workshops and trainings, establishment of cultural tourism centre, provision of free visits, and provision of cultural heritage awareness campaigns in schools, colleges and universities in order to impart public awareness on cultural heritage tourism.
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