UNESCO World Heritage Centre

Title	Sites	State Parties	Description	Category	Date updated
World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme			The UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme represents a new approach based on dialogue and stakeholder cooperation where planning for tourism and heritage management is integrated at a destination ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-04-28
Accessible cultural tourism in the old city of Luxembourg (Luxembourg)	City of Luxembourg: its Old Quarters and Fortifications	Luxembourg	On the 25th Anniversary of the site's inscription on the World Heritage List, new tours aim to open the World Heritage site to everyone, including citizens with special needs. By partnering with relevant community ...	Inclusion & Participation	2023-02-16
Avebury Residents’ Pack: bringing together diverse stakeholders in Avebury (United Kingdom)	Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	The Avebury Residents' Pack, developed between 2006 and 2008 by the local world heritage management office, aimed to reconnect the local communities with the archaeological sites in the village, bringing together ...	Inclusion & Participation	2022-06-27
Balancing development and conservation in Grand-Bassam (Côte d’Ivoire)	Historic Town of Grand-Bassam	Côte d'Ivoire	The inscription of the Historic Town of Grand-Bassam on the World Heritage List has provided new opportunities to promote sustainable development in the city. From the creation of a local World Heritage management ...	Climate Change Environment & Resilience Prosperity & Livelihood	2023-05-18
Building the skills to care for Georgia’s Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands		Georgia	Building the skills to care for Georgia’s Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands © Around 100 people are employed across the parks and protected areas that make up the Colchic Rainforests and Wetlands ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-03-31
Challenges and opportunities of historic urban centres: case study of the Medina of Tunis (Tunisia)	Medina of Tunis	Tunisia	To protect this historic site at the centre of a bustling metropolis and promote its sustainable development, several actions are addressing the preservation and promotion of its cultural heritage.	Environment & Resilience	2022-06-27
Conservation and revitalisation programme of Ancient City of Ping Yao (China)	Ancient City of Ping Yao	China	Through innovative management and financing models and a combination of conservation actions aimed at both tangible and intangible heritage, the programme aims to make a contribution to the long-term sustainability ...	Environment & Resilience Inclusion & Participation	2023-02-16
Creating a shared framework in the serial World Heritage property of Mantua and Sabbioneta (Italy)	Mantua and Sabbioneta	Italy	In order to improve the coordination between the two component cities of this serial property, the Municipalities of Mantua and Sabbioneta have created a central management office. This office is in charge of ...	Environment & Resilience	2023-02-16
Cultural entrepreneurship in Cidade Velha, Ribeira Grande (Cabo Verde)	Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande	Cabo Verde	A wide-ranging programme aims to build capacity amongst local residents to understand the potentials offered by cultural heritage, by supporting and enhancing local cultural entrepreneurship. The initiative includes ...	Gender Equality Prosperity & Livelihood	2023-02-16
Developing a Sustainable Tourism Strategy for the Silk Roads Heritage Corridors			Developing a Sustainable Tourism Strategy for the Silk Roads Heritage Corridors © UNESCO / Roland Lin Acclaimed as the ‘greatest route in the history of mankind’, the ancient Silk Road formed the ...	Sustainable Tourism	2022-06-27
Developing sustainable rural tourism in San Gimignano (Italy)	Historic Centre of San Gimignano	Italy	In reaction to the sharp increase in incoming visitors over the last decades, San Gimignano has developed several initiatives to support jobs and local livelihoods while respecting the town’s cultural heritage, ...	Prosperity & Livelihood	2023-02-16
Dialogue between Bruce Yerkovich and Aubin Arroyo			During the dialogue, Bruce Yerkovich and Aubin Arroyo introduced their innovative practices that create positive change in people towards sustainability. Bruce underlined that sustainable tourism can truly empower ...		2022-12-19
Dialogue between Gabriel Zuchtriegel and Doris Maria Woerfel			The dialogue between Gabriel Zuchtriegel and Doris Maria Woerfel centred on the engagement of the local community in tourism. They agreed that involving local communities is fundamental to sustainable tourism ...		2022-12-19
Dialogue between Hamdan Abdul Majeed and Michael Pinksy			The dialogue between Hamdan Abdul Majeed and Michael Pinksy focused mainly on how sustainable tourism could benefit local communities. Tourists are generally confined to their ‘bubble’, which is not conducive to ...		2022-12-19
Dialogue between Jana Apih and Jascivan Carvalho			The dialogue between Jana Apih and Jascivan Carvalho highlighted the value of local communities for sustainable tourism. They agreed that knowledge of local communities can be used to promote sustainable practices ...		2022-12-19
Dialogue between Kamal Mouzawak and Kotchakorn Vorrakhom			The dialogue between Kamal Mouzawak and Kotchakorn Vorrakhom centred on the importance of local communities for sustainable tourism. They agreed that sustainable tourism must pay paramount attention to locals and ...		2022-12-19
Educating visitors on how to enjoy Namibia’s World Heritage Wonders Responsibly		Namibia	Educating visitors to enjoy Namibia’s World Heritage responsibly © Putting tourism on a more sustainable path has been a core priority of the Government of Namibia as visitors return to the ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-03-31
Guide 1 – Case Study: Historic Town Of Vigan (Philippines)	Historic City of Vigan	Philippines	Vigan is an exceptionally intact and well-preserved example of a European trading town in East and South-East Asia. The architecture of the city reflects its historic roots and rich culture in both materials and ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 1: Understanding tourism at your destination			This guide will help you understand why tourism matters, some key questions you may need to ask and answer, and some ways to fill evidence gaps, such as utilising other partner's resources. Continue reading below to ...		2024-03-25
Guide 10: Monitoring success with sustainable tourism			This guide 10 will tell you why benchmarking matters and suggest some ideas on how you can develop site and destination specific benchmarks.	Sustainable Tourism	2024-03-25
Guide 2 – Case Study: Angkor and The Tourism Development Strategic Plan 2012–2020	Angkor	Cambodia	Guide 2 Case Study: Angkor and The Tourism Development Strategic Plan 2012–2020 © Toolkit About the Sustainable Tourism Toolkit How to use this guide? Our Objective Resource ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 2 – Case Study: Ichkeul National Park (Tunisia)	Ichkeul National Park	Tunisia	Ichkeul National Park is characterized by a very specific hydrological functioning system, based on seasonal alternation of water levels and salinity. The lake and surrounding marshes constitute a stopover for ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 2: Developing a strategy for progressive change			This guide 2 will tell you how to develop a strategy for your destination that complements both the sensitive nature of a heritage site, as well as the task of sustainable and profitable tourism.		2024-03-25
Guide 3 – Case Study: Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca (Malaysia)	Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca	Malaysia	George Town and Melaka were jointly inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008 due to their shared rich multi-cultural trading heritage. However, they have also been subject to criticism and a feeling of ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 3: Developing effective governance			This guide 3 will tell you why good destination management and governance matters, and how you can start to develop it in your World Heritage destination.		2024-03-25
Guide 4 – Case Study: Avebury World Heritage site, Wiltshire (United Kingdom)	Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	Avebury stone circle or ‘henge’ lies at the centre of half the Stonehenge, Avebury, and Associated Sites inscribed as World Heritage. It is the sister-site to the perhaps more widely recognizable monument: ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 4 – Case study: Great Barrier Reef (Australia)	Great Barrier Reef	Australia	Coral reefs around the world are threatened both by natural and anthropogenic factors, with tourism having an important role in the latter. Direct impacts in coral reefs are related with badly managed tourism ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 4 – Case study: Old and New Towns of Edinburgh (United Kingdom)	Old and New Towns of Edinburgh	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	The World Heritage Status Report showed that 41% of visitors to Edinburgh are aware that it is a World Heritage site, and 17% of all visitors think that Edinburgh’s World Heritage status influenced their choice. ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 4 – Case study: Røros Mining Town and the Circumference (Norway)	Røros Mining Town and the Circumference	Norway	Røros Mining Town and the Circumference is linked to the copper mines, established in the 17th century, which were used for 333 years until 1977. The site includes the Town and its industrial-rural cultural ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 4: Engaging local communities and businesses			This guide 4 will tell you how to reach out and engage with local businesses and the community in a dialogue explaining the mutual benefit that comes with making tourism more sustainable.		2024-03-25
Guide 5 – Case study: Røros Mining Town and the Circumference (Norway)	Røros Mining Town and the Circumference	Norway	In was back in 1922 when the Chief Inspectorate of Ancient Monuments and Buildings (Riksantikvaren) first understood the potential value of Røros Mining Town heritage. At that time, a recommendation of protection ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 5: Communicating with visitors			This guide 5 will tell you why communicating with visitors matters, and how you can do it effectively, in a culturally appropriate manner.		2024-03-25
Guide 6 – Case Study: Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape (United Kingdom)	Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	The Cornwall and West Devon mining landscape was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2006 comprised of 10 different mining landscapes across the area. As the largest World Heritage site in the United Kingdom, ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 6: Managing the development of tourism infrastructure			This guide 6 will tell you why infrastructure is vital to sustainable tourism and how to begin the process of developing appropriate infrastructure.		2024-03-25
Guide 7 – Case study: Røros Mining Town and the Circumference (Norway)	Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape	United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland	Røros Mining Town and the Circumference is a clear case of a cultural landscape sustained by traditional socio-economic systems. In 2009 there were 21 active farms within the property and a number of redundant farms ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 7: Adding value through products, experiences, and services			This guide 7 will tell you how to think about developing products, services, and experiences as a key way to sustain the OUV of the site, enthuse tourists, and benefit local communities.		2024-03-25
Guide 8 – Case Study: Wadi Al-Hitan (Egypt)	Wadi Al-Hitan (Whale Valley)	Egypt	Wadi Al-Hitan – also known as Whale Valley – is located in the Western Desert of Egypt. It is an ‘open-air museum’ of invaluable fossil remains of the earliest, and now extinct, suborder of whales (Archaeoceti), as ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 8: Adding value through products, experiences, and services			This guide 8 will tell you how to think about developing products, services, and experiences as a key way to sustain the OUV of the site, enthuse tourists, and benefit local communities.		2024-03-25
Guide 9 – Case study: Land of Frankincense (Oman)	Land of Frankincense	Oman	The Land of Frankincense (LoF) World Heritage site is composed of four archaeological sites related to the antique trade of Frankincense and other luxury items across the Dhofar province of Oman: Shisr (sometimes ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-02-27
Guide 9: Securing funding and investment			This guide 9 will tell you some ways that you can secure investment in order to help make the aspirations developed from these guides for your site and the destination as a whole a reality.		2024-03-25
Helping local homestay hosts to be more sustainable businesses in Indonesia		Indonesia	Helping local homestay hosts to be more sustainable in Indonesia © Tourism constitutes one of Indonesia's priority government investment areas to boost national GDP. A programme of tourism ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-03-31
Heritage-based city branding in Trogir (Croatia)	Historic City of Trogir	Croatia	A new city branding strategy based on cultural values and community participation aims to enhance Trogir’s attractiveness as a destination for cultural tourism.	Prosperity & Livelihood	2023-12-28
Improving visitor infrastructure in Angkor, Cambodia.		Cambodia	Improving visitor infrastructure in Angkor, Cambodia © The Angkor World Heritage site has long attracted visitors to Cambodia, providing a major driver for the country’s economy with a steady ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-03-31
Literary tourism in the university town of Coimbra (Portugal)	University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia	Portugal	A project to create a digital map of places associated with literature aims to promote sustainable cultural tourism, relieving tourism pressures in the historic areas and encouraging visitors to explore other parts ...	Prosperity & Livelihood	2023-02-16
Monitoring the implementation of the World Heritage Management and Action Plan in the Historic Centre of Florence ...	Historic Centre of Florence	Italy	An innovative initiative employs the Sustainable Development Goals as monitoring tools to track the contribution of heritage-related initiatives towards sustainable development.	Environment & Resilience Knowledge & Skills	2023-02-16
Promoting local businesses in Mexican World Heritage Cities	Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Historic Centre of Mexico City and Xochimilco Historic Centre of Morelia Historic Centre of Oaxaca and Archaeological Site of Monte Albán Historic Centre of Puebla Historic Centre of Zacatecas Historic Fortified Town of Campeche Historic Monuments Zone of Querétaro Historic Monuments Zone of Tlacotalpan Historic Town of Guanajuato and Adjacent Mines Protective town of San Miguel and the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco	Mexico	An online platform connects and supports small- and medium-sized enterprises located in World Heritage Cities in Mexico, promoting national tourism and increasing local businesses' digital presence.	Prosperity & Livelihood	2023-02-16
Promoting local development through heritage conservation and enhancement and tourism in the Island of Saint-Louis ...	Island of Saint-Louis	Senegal	After the World Heritage Committee warned in 2016 that the poor state of conservation of the property could lead to its inscription on the List of World Heritage in Danger, a number of local, national and ...	Environment & Resilience Prosperity & Livelihood	2023-02-16
Promoting sustainable tourism in response to COVID-1			Many of the world’s World Heritage sites are dependent upon tourism to maintain their economic, environmental, social and cultural well-being. However, the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic has hit World ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-05-12
Reducing waste and improving visitor experience in Viet Nam		Viet Nam	Reducing waste and improving visitor experience in Viet Nam © The long closure of the sites led to reduced income, disruption of community life and reduced maintenance. Viet Nam’s international ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-03-31
Restoring Life to the Community in Lamu Old Town, Kenya		Kenya	The Lamu Old Town, a World Heritage Site on the coast of East Africa about 350 km north of Mombasa, has seen its public spaces refreshed, access improved, and pride in the city's status as the oldest and best ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-03-31
Supporting Community-Based Management and Sustainable Tourism at World Heritage Sites in Southeast Asia	Cultural Landscape of Bali Province: the Subak System as a Manifestation of the Tri Hita Karana Philosophy Melaka and George Town, Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras	Indonesia · Malaysia · Philippines	Entitled “The Power of Culture: Supporting Community-Based Management and Sustainable Tourism at World Heritage sites in South-East Asia, the UNESCO Office in Jakarta with the technical assistance of the UNESCO ...	Other materials Publications Sustainable Tourism	2022-06-27
Supporting local tourism in the Old City of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina		Bosnia and Herzegovina	Supporting local tourism in the Old City of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina © The picturesque Old Bridge Area of the Old City of Mostar was the first World Heritage site in Bosnia and Herzegovina ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-03-31
Sustainable Tourism Toolkit			Sustainable planning and management of tourism is one of the most pressing challenges concerning the future of the World Heritage Convention today and is the focus of the UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable ...		2024-03-26
Sustainable Tourism, Sustainable Heritage. 50 Minds for the Next 50			There are now more than 1,000 World Heritage sites in 177 countries, and a great many of them are important tourist destinations. At best, tourism drives economic development and brings needed financial and social ...		2022-12-19
Understanding the movement of people through phone use analysis in Florence (Italy)	Historic Centre of Florence	Italy	The local government analysed mobile usage data from major telephone operators to collect useful data for infrastructure design and tourism management.	Environment & Resilience Knowledge & Skills	2023-02-16
World Heritage and Tourism in a Changing Climate			This report provides an overview of the increasing vulnerability of World Heritage sites to climate change impacts and the potential implications for and of global tourism. It also examines the close relationship ...	Climate Change Other materials Sustainable Tourism	2022-06-27
Sustainable Tourism Capacity Building	Lake Malawi National Park Maloti-Drakensberg Park Mosi-oa-Tunya / Victoria Falls Ngorongoro Conservation Area	Lesotho · Malawi · South Africa · United Republic of Tanzania · Zambia · Zimbabwe	In the framework of the World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme (WH+ST Programme), the UNESCO World Heritage Centre has developed a capacity building tool for site managers (“How To” Guides) to help them ...	Sustainable Tourism	2023-01-19
Towards a Nordic-Baltic pilot region for World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism		Norway	The project Towards a Nordic-Baltic pilot region for World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism (2012-2014) was initiated by the Nordic World Heritage Foundation (NWHF). With a practical approach, the project has ...	Sustainable Tourism	2022-06-27

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