01707nas a2200241   4500000000100000000000100001000000100002008004100003653001200044653001300056653002100069653002400090653002500114653002200139653002400161100001300185245005200198856015200250300001200402490000700414520102400421022002001445       2004                            d10aCulture10aheritage10aCultural tourism10aheritage management10aHeritage attractions10aHeritage industry10aIllicit trafficking1 aG. Edson00aHeritage: Pride or passion, product or service?  uhttps://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-27644454657&doi=10.1080%2f1352725042000257366&partnerID=40&md5=ff2adbdc85b53c5743e97f448321f239  a333-3480 v103 aConcerns about cultural, natural, tangible, and intangible heritage have caused governments to enact protective legislation, courts to impose penalties, and organisations to conduct awareness campaigns. Heritage has become an important economic attraction that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and billions of dollars into communities around the world, but what is the heritage that is being protected and promoted? This paper is a commentary on the theoretical basis of heritage. The questions posed and the ideas offered are not intended to condone the unregulated movement of cultural or natural materials (heritage) in any form. The plunder of archaeological sites, the theft of cultural and natural objects and specimens, and the destruction of structures and locations for profit or during times of conflict are heinous acts. These activities incite the spoilage of history, deplete traditional values, and degrade the basic notion of human decency. Nevertheless, the question remains:  what is heritage? .  a13527258 (ISSN)