Heritage interpretation as a catalyst for sustainable ecotourism in protected areas: a systematic literature review

Abstract

This article provides a systematic review of the literature to explore heritage interpretation as a catalyst for sustainable ecotourism in protected areas. Premised on the importance of protected areas as a strategy for the conservation of the natural environment, the study seeks to identify trends that predominate contemporary scholarly discourse regarding the concept of heritage interpreta- tion in protected areas. Having searched the main scientific databases (Sabinet, Scopus, Emerald, ProQuest, Taylor & Francis Online, and journals' websites), the authors have identified 129 publi- cations, of which 57 met their relevance criteria. After conducting content analysis and thematic extraction, it turned out that most of the studies concerned the Global North, with themes reflecting the role of heritage interpretation in protected areas, interpretation planning, management and evaluation, environmental interpretation, cultural interpretation, the influence of interpretation on visitors' perceptions, behaviour and satisfaction, interpretation preferences, interpreters' experi ences, creativity in heritage interpretation and heritage interpretation for sustainable development.