The Efficacy of Heritage Interpretation at the Lalibela Rock-Hewn Churches in Ethiopia: exploring the need for integrating ICTmediation
Abstract
The inscription of a property in the World Heritage List serves as a recognition of its
Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). Such recognition gives visitors the expectation
that visiting the site would be a unique experience that would fulfil their visitation goals.
Need therefore exists to ensure quality heritage interpretation at the particular World
Heritage site. This is both beneficial to ensuring adequate presentation of the site’s OUV
and visitor satisfaction. This paper seeks to investigate the level of visitor satisfaction
with heritage interpretation at the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela one of the most
visited attractions in Ethiopia. The study is based on an analysis of online travel reviews
of the site using Qualitative Content Analysis. The findings of the study indicate that
heritage guiding and interpretation at the Rock hewn churches of Lalibela is provided
mainly by the local guides. The study however, finds a number of reported / perceived
challenges related to visitor satisfaction, including perceived visitor exploitation by
local guides and church workers, visitor harassment, dishonesty by the guides when
dealing with clients, language barriers and lack of signage and site maps. It thus argues
that there is room to expand the scope of heritage interpretation beyond human guides,
and recommends adoption of ICTs-mediated interpretation services at this World
Heritage destination.
Collections
- Journal Articles (THM) [102]
