TRACK 15: Culture, Entertainment, Tourism and Planning: Panacea or Threat?

Co-chairs: Jan Schreurs, Piotr Lorens

Global entertainment and tourism industry brought many undisputable economic benefits to many regions. In some cases, this is the only opportunity how to increase the living standard of their inhabitants. Conflicts of values, cultures, life styles of local communities, departure from their authentic evolution process and number of related ethical issues may be the dark side of an orientation on commercialisation of culture, and entertainment and related tourism as an engine for economy. The environmental and cultural resources that were used for establishing the entertainment and tourist industry may be consumed by the same industry, without sustainable positive effects on local population. If this could be the case, what should be the role and responsibility of planners?