World Heritage Site Analysis

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A World Heritage usually has its own outstanding universal value and a common consensus from human beings to protect and manage it (Edroma, 2004). The World heritage sites also have a symbolic meaning and constitute the common assets of humanity, contributing to the conservation of globally important cultural and natural areas. A heritage site should meet at least one of the ten criteria of “Outstanding Universal Value (OUV)” described by the “Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention” in order to be inscribed in the World Heritage List (UNESCO, 2008). At present, there are totally 1007 properties of which 779 are cultural, 197 natural and 31 mixed sites in the World Heritage List (UNESCO, 2014). The 180…show more content…
However, some local communities may have an antagonistic attitude towards the government and management authority. Some of the local communities may worry the tourism development directly threaten the site’s integrity. “East Rennell”, a natural World Heritage in the Pacific is a good example of demonstrating the impact of “unrealized expectation”. A study reported that the local communities envisaged that nomination would only boost the tourism development, but also regarding the building of new infrastructures like hospitals, flyovers and transport within and to the island. The fact is that the local people were totally getting despondent as no improvement in the infrastructure was seen along the tourism development project (IUCN,…show more content…
In Jiuzhaigou, tourism generated revenue not only benefits local communities and the local government; it also supports site management activities and creates job opportunities. The World Heritage inscription had also revitalized the economy in many ways, like increased foreign investment, increased media coverage from national and international, stimulated new infrastructure, services, business and products and hence new job and educational opportunities (ICUN, 2011). It can raise the awareness of both locals and visitors to the value of the site and importance of conservation through tourism and by using appropriate interpretation tools (Borrini, 2004). The Wadi-AI-Hitan (Whale Valley) in Egypt is a good example. The government had put many efforts to develop the site for tourism development. Apart from building appropriate infrastructure, much focus was being placed by the government on interpretation and capacity building for all site staff and local

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