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World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme

World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme


The vision of the programme is to share the responsibility for conservation of the common natural and cultural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value and sustainable development ensuring that tourism is managed appropriately (UNESCO, 2013).
The mission is to facilitate the appropriate management and development of sustainable tourism.


There are 6 key elements in realising the vision and the mission of the programme:
I. The appropriate interpretation and implementation of the World Heritage Convention which encloses sustainable tourism;
II. National, regional and local governments involvement by creating various policies and frameworks that recognise sustainable tourism as an important element in managing the heritage;
III. All stakeholders have to be aware and committed to sustainable development and are capable to manage tourism activity sustainable;
IV. Local communities get involved by contributing to the conservation and the sustainable management of tourism at the World Heritage destinations;
V. Tourism sector values World Heritage and gets involved  in the preservation by ensuring that the activities on such sites are responsible and support social and economic development;
VI. Visitors understand and appreciate the meaning of Outstanding Universal Value of World Heritage and behave responsibly.

Furthermore, there are 5 Programme objectives:

I. To ensure the integration of sustainable tourism principles into the mechanisms of the World Heritage Convention;
II. Strengthen the enabling environment by advocating policies, strategies, frameworks and tools in order to help the development of sustainable tourism which is seen as an important element in protecting and managing such sites;
III. The promotion of broad stakeholder engagement in the planning, development and management of sustainable tourism as well as empowering the local communities;
IV. Ensuring the all stakeholders are benefiting from the tools that will enable these to manage tourism efficiently, responsibly and sustainably according to the local context and needs;
V. Promoting quality tourism products and services that encourage responsible behaviour among all stakeholders and foster understanding and appreciation of the concept of Outstanding Universal Value and protection of World Heritage.

Source: UNESCO (2013), World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme [online]. Available at: <http://whc.unesco.org/en/tourism/> [Accessed on 14 June 2013].  
  

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