What Europeans Really Think About Cultural Heritage: Insights From Special Eurobarometer 466
Cultural heritage is an essential aspect of Europe’s history and identity, encompassing a wide range of customs, traditions, and historical monuments that have shaped the European continent. Understanding how Europeans perceive and value cultural heritage is important for policymakers and stakeholders involved in preserving and promoting cultural richness. According to the Special Eurobarometer 466 published by the European Commission in 2017, the survey delves deeper into the perceptions of the EU citizens towards the cultural heritage.
Background and Methodology
The Special Eurobarometer 466 is a survey that aims to capture Europeans’ perceptions and attitudes regarding cultural heritage. The survey was conducted between 22nd October 2016, and 16th November 2016, with a sample size of 27,643 respondents from all EU member states. It comprises questions related to the importance of cultural heritage, its impact on tourism, and the level of support for its preservation.
Main Findings
The survey revealed that 85% of respondents perceive cultural heritage as an essential element of their national identity. Additionally, 70% believe that cultural heritage plays a crucial role in promoting European values, such as respect for diversity, solidarity, and freedom of expression.
Furthermore, the Eurobarometer 466 identified a strong correlation between cultural heritage and tourism, with 78% of respondents acknowledging that their country’s cultural heritage is a crucial factor in attracting visitors. This finding highlights the importance of preserving cultural heritage in promoting domestic and international tourism.
The survey also reveals that Europeans have mixed views on the level of government support for cultural heritage. While 51% appreciate the current level of funding and support, 37% believe that governments do not allocate sufficient resources to cultural heritage preservation. This finding suggests the need for significant investment in the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage.
Implications
The findings of the Eurobarometer 466 offer important implications for policymakers and stakeholders involved in cultural heritage preservation and promotion. For instance, given that the majority of Europeans view cultural heritage as essential to their national identity, policymakers should prioritize preserving cultural heritage assets in all member states. This preservation should occur while balancing the demands of other developmental needs.
Furthermore, the strong link between cultural heritage and tourism highlights the need for public-private partnerships to develop and promote sustainable tourism models that integrate cultural heritage. Such partnerships should consider the needs of both tourists and locals while preserving and promoting cultural heritage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Special Eurobarometer 466 survey provides valuable insights into the perceptions and attitudes of Europeans towards cultural heritage. The high level of importance placed on cultural heritage by EU citizens and its link to tourism is a clear indication that preserving and promoting cultural heritage should be high on the priority list of policymakers and stakeholders. Moreover, the survey indicates that governments need to invest in cultural heritage preservation, including by partnering with the private sector to promote sustainable tourism models.
