Marie Louise Baens Boncan is a new PhD student in Tourism Studies: Exploring the Digital Stories of Cultural Heritage

European cultural heritage and tourism are facing major challenges, often linked to economic growth. By fostering multidisciplinary expertise and collaboration, the new international HERITOUR project will help shape a more hybrid, resilient and sustainable future for cultural heritage tourism.

Marie Louise Baens Boncan is one of ten new doctoral students who are part of HERITOUR's international doctoral programme. The programme aims to educate a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers who gain the skills to work in culture and tourism in Europe. HERITOUR brings together universities and research environments in Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Turkey and Aruba. The collaboration involves exchanges in both research and education between the universities and organisations that are part of the international network. 

"Starting as a doctoral student can feel overwhelming, but being part of HERITOUR makes it feel like a joint expedition rather than a solitary assignment," says Marie.

Places that carry memories of trauma and conflict

In the coming years of her doctoral studies, Marie will investigate how digital platforms shape narratives about cultural heritage sites with contested histories. Her research is part of the theme of hybridization within the framework of HERITOUR, which deals with how the narratives of cultural heritage are experienced and shaped in the interplay between physical, digital and hybrid environments. Marie is particularly interested in places that carry traces and memories of trauma and conflict.

"Even though the subject can be perceived as heavy, it feels meaningful to contribute to amplifying marginalized voices and broadening the conversation about places with a disputed or controversial history. I hope that in the long term, my research will contribute to more responsible ways of working with historical narratives. Both in physical places and in digital platforms where people encounter them," says Marie. 

New perspectives and more voices from the Global South

Marie grew up in the Philippines and later studied and worked in Italy. Her interest in cultural heritage and the stories it carries was sparked when she came into contact with the concept of dark tourism –  a phenomenon where people voluntarily visit places associated with dystopia, tragedy, death or otherwise difficult historical events.

Marie herself belongs to an ethnic minority in Europe, which has helped her develop an interest in colonial histories and how they are retold. Research in the field is characterized by European and North American perspectives, says Marie, who hopes to contribute to more voices from the Global South becoming part of the conversation. 

Bahala na 

A few weeks ago, Marie moved to Östersund and the contrast to city life in the Philippines could hardly be greater. The reception at ETOUR has been warm, she says. Her colleagues invite her over for coffee and are curious who she is, which has made Marie feel welcome from the first moment. 

"Starting my doctoral studies this far from home requires a lot of courage. In my home language, there is the expression bahala na , which means roughly come what may. I think that quiet courage has brought me here," says Marie

Marie's supervisor is Maria Lexhagen, Professor of Tourism Studies, who has taken good care of her from the first moment. With this, we would like to say, a warm welcome Marie and good luck in your new role as a PhD student in Tourism Studies with us at ETOUR and Mid Sweden University! 

Discover HERITOUR!

Are you curious about HERITOUR? It is a new doctoral program and network that focuses on challenges in culture and tourism: hybridization, resilience, sustainability and democratization. HERITOUR aims to train a new generation of interdisciplinary researchers with the skills to work in culture and tourism in Europe. See more and discover HERITOUR here