Managing local heritage in low-and middle-income countries through small accommodation firms: the case of Ghana

This study aims to provide empirical evidence about how sustainable heritage tourism paths can be developed in Ghana by focusing on the relationship between 20 guesthouses and various other local and multi-local actors. A co-evolutionary analysis is conducted stressing the dialectical nature of this relationship and following a mixed method. Findings from the analysis highlight eight interconnected key factors: five inhibitors and three enablers that are capable of influencing (un)sustainable heritage tourism paths development. In this dynamic, the application of the principle of subsidiarity, coupled with capacity building, can help the various multilevel actors co-adapt effectively. Consequently, the study suggests conceiving heritage tourism paths as co-evolutionary processes generated, and recognised as virtuous, by all actors involved. This research contributes to understanding the socio-economic and environmental dynamics underlying sustainable heritage tourism development in Africa as advocated in literature. Moreover, the findings may help decision makers and policy makers to exploit the huge sustainable potential of heritage tourism.