Cultural Sustainability

The strong understanding of the culture in question is important in culturally sustainable productisation in tourism. Cultural productisation must happen respecting and according to the cultural values and worldviews of the cultural custodians. Cultural custodians need to have a control over the manner in which their culture is represented in tourism as well as which parts of culture can be utilised, and which need to be left uncommercialised. The primary basis for cultural sustainability in planning and implementing touristic productisation and representation of culture must be the safeguarding and maintenance of the culture to the future generation, despite being utilised in tourism. Hence, tourism industry must not cause cultural heritage to become threatened, endangered or extinct through its actions. The central elements of cultural sustainability in Sámi tourism are authenticity and that productisation of culture is based on local traditions and customs as well as on present-day life. Touristic commercialisation and utilisation of Sámi culture is the right of the Sámi actors. Respecting local Sámi culture and authenticity in its utilisation are essential elements of culturally sustainable Sámi tourism. Culturally sustainable tourism also enables the Sámi community at the tourism destination to practise and transmit their culture, in everyday life as well as during festivities, without tourism or visitors causing disruption or changes more than to a minor extent to their cultural customs or practices.