Heritage site management - Motivations and expectations

This study attempts to explore the significance of tourists' perceptions of a heritage site, as it relates to their own heritage, and as an important factor for understanding their behavior and the management of historic settings. Implementing a quantitative research approach, questionnaires were distributed to a sample group prior to their entering the heritage site. The results indicate that individuals' perceptions comprise a key factor in understanding both motivation to visit and expectations of the interpretation provided. Implications of the findings for researchers and site managers are presented. Keywords: Anne Frank House, heritage, interpretation, motivation, perception, the Netherlands. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.