Preservation and Conservation through Cultural Heritage Tourism. Case Study: Musi Riverside Palembang

Palembang is the center of political and economic power in Southeast Asia in the past and was visited by foreign traders from China, Middle East and Persia. This paper reveals the potential of cultural heritage tourism in Palembang and shows the role of tourism in urban heritage preservation and conservation. Cultural tourism creates jobs and new business opportunities and strengthens local economy. Cultural heritage tourism helps also to protect cultural heritage and to improve the quality of life of residents and visitors. Linking tourism with heritage and culture will benefit the local economy. The main idea in cultural heritage tourism is to save urban heritage and culture, to share it with visitors, and to reach economic benefits.