PIRATE HERITAGE AS A DRIVER OF TOURISM AND CULTURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Pirate heritage is a highly recognizable cultural resource shaped by the interaction of historical evidence with literary and cinematic mythology. This article examines how that resource can attract visitors and support cultural entrepreneurship. A qualitative comparative analysis examines five international cases: Pirates Week in the Cayman Islands, the Fête des Corsaires in Saint-Malo, the St. Augustine Pirate and Treasure Museum, the Pirates exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, and the Archaeological Ensemble of Port Royal. The findings indicate that commercial viability depends on more than the popularity of pirate imagery. It requires place-based interpretation, participation by local creators, diversified revenue streams, and safeguards for heritage conservation. Festivals generate time-specific visitor flows and broad local networks; themed museums turn narrative into a permanent ticketed experience; archaeological sites demand stricter limits and long-term stewardship. A responsible development framework is proposed that connects historical accountability with entrepreneurial sustainability while avoiding the romanticization of violence, colonialism, and slavery.