Lighthouses, literature and tourism. The Greek case.

Linking literature with tourism can be crucial in preserving and promoting cultural heritage associated with literary production. Many towns and cities around the globe have become literary landmarks because of their association with acclaimed writers and their work. Literary lovers are attracted to the actual sites depicted in literature or other locations related to literary production, e.g., authors' residences or graves. This article presents examples of literary heritage valorisation by national and international organisations. It also explains the tourism potential of traditional Greek lighthouses through the findings of a research that focused on the cultural capital they represent. Literature and oral storytelling regarding Greek lighthouses, in combination with their magnificent history, architecture and landscape, have surrounded them with a spiritual aura that appeals to sophisticated tourists. The paper illustrates the reasons for the strategic incorporation of lighthouse literary tourism in the Greek tourism product. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]