Cambodian experiences of the manifestation and management of intangible heritage and tourism at a World Heritage site

The role of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) within the cultural tourism experience of a heritage place is seldom a central focus of heritage conservation. Yet intangible heritage, or living culture, has a pivotal role to play in the tourist experience of a heritage place. Management of intangible heritage tourism – both the utilisation and presentation of forms of intangible heritage to tourists and the minimisation of impacts caused, directly or indirectly, by pressures of tourism on intangible heritage – are central aspects of heritage site conservation. At many heritage places, the management of intangible heritage is typically considered as an afterthought to the preservation and presentation of monumental remains or natural sites. There is, however, a growing understanding of the significance and interdependence of both tangible and intangible heritage. This general trend is consistent with the management of heritage at the Angkor World Heritage site (AWHS). While conservation of the monuments has been of primary importance, in recent years there has been considerable research on the significance of intangible heritage and focus placed on the management of this heritage.