Heritage tourism is a branch of tourism centered around the exploration and appreciation of a region's cultural, historical and environmental heritage. This form of tourism includes both tangible elements, such as historically significant sites, monuments, and artifacts, as well as intangible aspects, such as traditions, customs, and practices.

A specific subset of heritage tourism, cultural heritage tourism, emphasises on the human dimension of these sites, focusing on the traditions, practices, and values that are deeply connected to them. Likewise, heritage tourism focuses specifically on the history of a region, as well as its natural heritage.

Heritage tourism can look like visiting historically significant locations, engaging with local traditions (Folklore), and gaining insights into the historical and contemporary aspects of a community, culture or religion.

Consequently, heritage tourism also underscores the importance of preserving cultural and historical resources. This can be extremely beneficial for a region, not only by helping in the preservation of vital customs and culture, but also by contributing to the economic development and sustainability of the area.

In some Christian and Islamic traditions, the purpose of a pilgrimage was often to honor the shrine of a prophet or saint, such as that of Muhammad in Mecca during the Islamic pilgrimages of the Hajj and Umrah. Other popular pilgrimage sites in Europe included Lourdes in France and Canterbury in England. In some cases pilgrims contribute significantly to the economies of certain regions.

For example, the rediscovery of ancient Roman ruins at Pompeii and Herculaneum stimulated an interest in the civilizations of the ancient world and travel. Additionally, in the 19th century, there was an increase in tourism and in grand tours of Europe to historical sites. The concept of a historical monument emerged in the Western world, accompanied by tourism.

Heritage tourism is promoted by the World Heritage Convention, which is a part of UNESCO. This stemmed from various safeguarding campaigns. The decision to build the Aswan High Dam in Egypt, including a plan to flood the valley containing the Abu Simbel temples, caused several conflicts.

In 1959, after an appeal from the governments of Egypt and Sudan, UNESCO launched an international safeguarding campaign. Archaeological research in the areas to be flooded was accelerated. And the Abu Simbel and Philae temples were dismantled, moved to dry ground, and reassembled. The campaign cost about 80 million US dollars, half of which was donated by some 50 countries.