The Management of World Heritage Sites
INTRODUCTION
‘No two world heritage sites are alike but all share common problems such as the need for a delicate balance between visitation and conservation’ (Shackley 2000).
Each World Heritage Site should have a management plan that deals with entry charges, potential damage to the heritage resources, congestion, reduction of visitors at peak times and dealing with specific types of visitors. World Heritage Sites act as a magnet for visitors because it is believed that World Heritage listing increases visitor numbers. According to UNESCO (1972) as was stated in the World Heritage Convention, ‘World Heritage Sites should retain and function in current community life while being conserved for transmission to future generations’. However tourism, especially excessive tourism at some of the World Heritage Sites place great deals of physical pressure on the sites and possible emotional pressures on the surrounding communities.
It is therefore necessary that if a specific site is given World Heritage status that it is to be maintained and remain accessible to current and future generations. Consequently managing tourism and tourists within the sites sustainably should be a critical issue (Garrod & Fyall, 2000; Pederson, 2002).
LITERATURE REVIEW
OVERVIEW OF HERITAGE
Heritage can be considered what we hold on to from the past, what we possess today and what we may pass on to those who are here after us. The heritage that we possess; both cultural and natural cannot be replaced and are considered a vital link to our past, especially for the future generations. There are many places in the world that possess qualities such as these; the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America, and these places make up the world’s heritage. World heritage sites are places where persons from any background can make a link to their past, these places do not just belong to the persons
‘No two world heritage sites are alike but all share common problems such as the need for a delicate balance between visitation and conservation’ (Shackley 2000).
Each World Heritage Site should have a management plan that deals with entry charges, potential damage to the heritage resources, congestion, reduction of visitors at peak times and dealing with specific types of visitors. World Heritage Sites act as a magnet for visitors because it is believed that World Heritage listing increases visitor numbers. According to UNESCO (1972) as was stated in the World Heritage Convention, ‘World Heritage Sites should retain and function in current community life while being conserved for transmission to future generations’. However tourism, especially excessive tourism at some of the World Heritage Sites place great deals of physical pressure on the sites and possible emotional pressures on the surrounding communities.
It is therefore necessary that if a specific site is given World Heritage status that it is to be maintained and remain accessible to current and future generations. Consequently managing tourism and tourists within the sites sustainably should be a critical issue (Garrod & Fyall, 2000; Pederson, 2002).
LITERATURE REVIEW
OVERVIEW OF HERITAGE
Heritage can be considered what we hold on to from the past, what we possess today and what we may pass on to those who are here after us. The heritage that we possess; both cultural and natural cannot be replaced and are considered a vital link to our past, especially for the future generations. There are many places in the world that possess qualities such as these; the wilds of East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America, and these places make up the world’s heritage. World heritage sites are places where persons from any background can make a link to their past, these places do not just belong to the persons