Authors: Daniel Barrera Fernández* & Leticia Arista Castillo** & Eugenia María Azevedo Salomao***

The article proposes an overview of different approaches focused on achieving a balance between preservation of heritage resources and promotion of tourist activities in historic cities. A selection of international agreements, either heritage-related or tourism-related, has been made. Furthermore, a review of the current international literature on the topic has been developed, focusing both on theoretical approaches and on specific proposals. Considering social and cultural aspirations of the local community are crucial aspects to develop a more balanced distribution of the costs and benefits of tourism in historic cities. Efforts should be made to create facilities focusing on residents needs rather than on spectacular effects. Moreover, a mix of uses and the maintenance of local businesses should be encouraged. The commitment to a more sustainable model can be helpful to target potential visitors aware of social and environmental issues, many of which are specially attracted to the liveliness and authenticity of the place.

Key words: Sustainability, cultural tourism, urban heritage, historic city.

*Post-Doctoral researcher, Faculty of Tourism, Malaga University, Andalusia, Spain. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

**Lecturer & researcher, Faculty of Habitat, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

***Lecturer & researcher, Faculty of Architecture, Michoacan University of Saint Nicholas of Hidalgo, Michoacan, Mexico. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.