Sustainability indicators

Sustainability indicators are metrics that measure the social, economic, and environmental performance of a site. They are used to track progress towards sustainability goals and to identify areas that need improvement. There are several sustainability indicators that are commonly used in UNESCO sites. These include indicators related to energy use, water consumption, waste generation, and biodiversity conservation. Other indicators may include measures of social and economic well-being, such as employment rates and tourism revenue.

While sustainability indicators are critical for monitoring the performance of UNESCO sites, there are several obstacles that can make monitoring difficult. One of the most significant obstacles is a lack of data. Many data are collected on a regional level, which is not localized enough and cannot be used. Some sites do not have the expertise to collect and analyze sustainability data. Collecting and analyzing sustainability data can be expensive, and many sites may not have the resources to invest in sustainability monitoring. This can make it challenging to identify areas that need improvement and to develop effective sustainability strategies.

Another complication is the lack of standardization in sustainability indicators. There is no single set of indicators that is universally accepted for measuring sustainability. Some sites may use different indicators or measure indicators in different ways.

Finally, there may be political obstacles to monitoring sustainability indicators. UNESCO sites are often located in areas where there are competing interests, and political considerations may sometimes take priority over sustainability concerns. This can make it difficult to implement sustainability strategies and to ensure that sustainability indicators are being accurately reported as well.

Additionally, it is critical to engage stakeholders in the monitoring process and to ensure that sustainability concerns are given appropriate weight in decision-making processes. By investing in sustainability monitoring and engaging stakeholders in the process, it is possible to ensure that these sites remain sustainable, resilient, and valuable cultural, natural, and historical landmarks.

Utility of the visit for tourists

---

Transport infrastructure

---- The destination is perfectly accessible by bus, train and own transport. Connections arrive very often. The destination has excellent public transport. The number of parking lots is perfectly satisfactory. The destination is well accessible by bus, train and own transport. Connections arrive often. The destination itself has good public transport. The number of parking lots is satisfactory. The destination is poorly accessible by bus, train and own transport. Connections arrive several times a day. The destination itself has poor public transport. The number of parking lots is rather insufficient. The destination is difficult to access by bus, train and own transport. Connections arrive only few times a day. The destination has insufficient public transport. The number of parking lots is insufficient.

Accommodation

---- In the destination there is no problem booking an accommodation during high season. There is a wide selection of accommodation from the basic (hostels) to the luxurious. There is a plenty of private rooms available. In the destination there is no problem booking an accommodation during off-season but it is necessary to book in advance during high season. There is a selection of accommodation from basics (hostels) to the luxurious. There are some private rooms available. The capacity of accommodation is sufficient but has to be booked well in advance even during off-season. The selection is limited and may lack some type of accommodation. There are very few private rooms available. The capacity of accommodation in destination is insufficient. There is a very limited selection of accommodation. There are no private rooms available.

Dining options

---- In the destination there is a wide selection of restaurants with different cuisines and variety of local dishes. In the destination there is no problem finding a table in a restaurant. Ratio price with quality is great. Also, there is plenty options eating in fast-food chains. In the destination there is a selection of restaurants with different cuisine and variety of local dishes. In the destination there is no problem finding a table in a restaurant. Restaurants are not overpriced. Also, there is a plenty options eating in fast-food chains. Restaurants offer limited menu of cousins and local dishes. In the destination is difficult to find a table in a restaurant. Ratio price with quality is not good enough. Also, there is plenty options eating in fast-food chains. Restaurants offer very limited menu of cousins and no local dishes. In the destination is very difficult to find a table in a restaurant. Ratio price with quality is terrible. Also, there is plenty options eating in fast-food chains.

Public tourist infrastructure

---- The whole destination is equipped with many information centres and info panels which offer information in multiple languages. The orientation in the destination is clear and easy thanks to detailed signage. The most important places are identified by information centres and info panels which offer information in multiple languages. The orientation in the destination is clear thanks to it´s signage. In the destination there is only a low count of information centres and info panels which offer information only in two languages. The orientation in the destination is not clear due to insufficent signage. In the destination there are no information centres and info panels. All information is only in local language. The orientation in the destination is difficult and signage is not existent.

Safety and Security

---- The destination has a high and complete crime prevention (security cameras, police patrols, all streets are well lit), various security measures are in place, the technical condition of the accommodation and visited buildings is in excellent quality. The destination has a crime prevention (security cameras, most of the streets are illuminated), the technical condition of the accommodation and visited buildings is in very good quality (fine damage to the buildings). The destination has a weak crime prevention (security cameras, some streets are illuminated), the technical condition of the accommodation and visited buildings is of poorer quality (the buildings are damaged in some places). The destination has an insufficient crime prevention (security cameras are at a minimum, rarely which streets are illuminated), the technical condition of the accommodation and visited buildings is of sufficient quality (the buildings are very damaged, but it is possible to visit the monument).

Hygienic conditions

---- There are enough trash cans in the destination. The streets are clean, maintained and there is no trash. The sanitary facilities are perfectly clean and the amount and occurrence of them are perfectly satisfactory. There is quite a lot of trash cans in the destination. The streets are relatively maintained, sometimes polluted. The sanitary facilities are relatively clean and the amount and occurrence of them are satisfactory. There are only few trash cans in the destination. The streets are in not in a good condition, there is a lot of trash and they are rather not maintained. The sanitary facilities are neglected and not clean, the amount and occurrence of them are rather insufficient. There is not enough of trash cans in the destination. The streets are very polluted and poorly maintained. The sanitary facilities are very neglected and the amount and occurrence of them are very insufficient.

Staff in the destination place

---- The staff of the facilities looks nice, decent and offers great service all the time. He can advise the visitor with any of his questions even in English or any other popular languages. The overall impression is fully satisfactory. The staff of the facility offers standard service and is capable to answer basic questions even in English. The overall impression is satisfactory. The staff of the facility looks bored and not very qualified. They must verify the answers of the questions. However, they understand English. The overall impression is partially satisfactory. The staff of the facility looks unpleasant and unqualified. They cannot answer basic questions. They do not understand English. The overall impression is unsatisfactory.

The aesthetics of the destination

---- The destination is exceptionally aesthetically pleasing, it fits in local surroundings and style with its image (nearby infrastructure does not disturb the overall image and atmosphere of the destination). The destination is aesthetically pleasing, it fits in local surroundings and style with its image (nearby infrastructure does not disturb the overall image and atmosphere of the destination). The destination's aesthetics is pleasing to some degree, it does not fit in local surroundings and style with its image (nearby infrastructure slightly disturbs the overall image and atmosphere of the destination). The destination is not aesthetically pleasing, it does not fit in local surroundings and style with its image (nearby infrastructure does disturb the overall image and atmosphere of the destination).

Popularity of destination

---- The popularity of the destination is very high thanks to the famous must-see sights, the guardian spirit of the place, its photogenic attractivity and subsequent sharing on the social network. The popularity of the destination is quite significant due to the number of specific must-see sights, the guardian spirit of the place, its photogenic attractivity and subsequent sharing on the social network. The popularity of the destination is low due to the small number of must-see sights, the guardian spirit of the place, its photogenic attractivity and subsequent sharing on social networks. The popularity of the destination is very low due to the minimal number of must-see sights, the guardian spirit of the place, its photogenic attractivity and subsequent sharing on social networks.

Offer of social events

---- There is a wide range of social events held in the destination. These events are held very often and throughout the year. There is a relatively wide range of social events held in the destination. These events are held often and for the most of the year. There is a limited range of social events held in the destination. These events are held not very often and rather in the main tourist season. There is a limited range of social events held in the destination. These events are held only seldom and only in the main tourist season.

Visitor’s behaviour in the destination

---- Visitors are being very polite and respectful to others, they are not being loud, they throw waste in the right containers and do not contribute to the pollution of the destination. Visitors are being more considerate of themselves, but their overall behaviour is polite, they throw waste in the right containers and do not contribute to the pollution of the destination. Visitors are not being polite and respectful to others, they are being loud, with their behaviors they slightly contribute to the pollution of the destination. Visitors are not being polite and respectful to others at all, they are being very loud, they do not throw waste in the right containers and they contribute to the pollution of the destination.

Overcrowdedness of the destination

---- No waiting time in restaurants, at the entrances to attractions and in shops. It is possible to freely walk in the streets. The visitors don´t limit each other in terms of the number. Only short waiting time in restaurants, at the entrances to attractions and in shops. There is enough space for walking in the street. The visitors almost don´t limit each other in terms of the number. Waiting time in restaurants, at the entrances to attractions and in shops is not negligible. The streets are full of visitors but it´s possible to pass them. The visitors limit each other a bit in terms of the number. Too long waiting time in restaurants, at the entrances to attractions and in shops. The streets are overcrowded and it´s hardly possible to pass them (Over tourism). The visitors significantly limit each other in terms of the number.

Quality of the natural environment of the destination (greenery, surface waters, noise, air pollution)

---- Very good condition of natural environment, conducive to recreation: large share of parks, green areas in the village space, very good condition of water in rivers and lakes, waters are used for sports and recreation, no noise, air pollution. Good condition of natural environment, conducive to recreation: average share of parks, green areas in the space of the village, good condition of water in rivers and lakes, waters are used for sports and recreation, in some places noise, air pollution is felt. Moderate condition of natural environment, conducive to recreation: small share of parks, green areas in the space of the village, bad condition of water in rivers and lakes, waters are not used for sports and recreation, noise, air pollution is felt in many places. Poor condition of natural environment, conducive to recreation: very small share of parks, green areas in the space of the village. Very bad water condition in rivers and lakes, waters are not used for sports and recreation, noise nuisance is felt, significant air pollution.

The relationship between residents and tourists

---- Very good experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is very friendly, helpful and open in contacts). Good experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is neutral in contacts). Bad experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is rather sceptical about tourists, little: friendly, helpful and open in contacts). Very bad experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community has a negative attitude towards tourists, is reluctant to provide help, often unethical words are uttered, individual manifestations of aggression).

Residents

---

Centre depopulation

---- The people are moving into the centre, living there is very popular The population in the centre is stable The centre is being slowly depopulated There is almost nobody living in the centre

Amount of garbage, cleanliness of the city

---- Very good Good Acceptable Not acceptable

Cost of living in the city

---- Prices of appartments and rentals are much higher than in similar towns Prices of appartments and rentals are higher than in similar towns Prices of appartments and rentals are same like in similar towns Prices of appartments and rentals are lower than in similar towns

Crime rate - number of crimes per 1000 inhabitant

---- Twice as much as a regional average Above regional average Same like the regional average Under the regional average

Enough jobs opportunities/unempoyment rate in comparison to regional average

---- Above regional average Same like the regional average Under the regional average

Entrepreneurs

---

Length of stay of multi-day visitors

---- significantly higher than the regional average same or slightly higher than the regional average days lower than the regional avarage significantly lower than the regional avarage

Share of multi-day visitors vs. one-day visitors

---- The multiday visitors are dominant Both groups are approximately the same One-day visitors are prevailing but the situation is ok One-day visitors are dominant and it causes problems

Rising property prices/rents

---- The propety and rentals prices are fine, anybody can start a business The propety and rentals prices are managable, appropriate to the locality The propety and rentals prices are a limiting factor for starting and sustaining a business The propety and rentals prices are incredible and the business have problem to pay it

Current level of commercialization

---- Very good experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is very friendly, helpful and open in contacts). Good experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is neutral in contacts). Bad experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is rather sceptical about tourists, little: friendly, helpful and open in contacts). Very bad experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community has a negative attitude towards tourists, is reluctant to provide help, often unethical words are uttered, individual manifestations of aggression).

City's dependence on tourism

---- Very good experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is very friendly, helpful and open in contacts). Good experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is neutral in contacts). Bad experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is rather sceptical about tourists, little: friendly, helpful and open in contacts). Very bad experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community has a negative attitude towards tourists, is reluctant to provide help, often unethical words are uttered, individual manifestations of aggression).

Share of international tourists

---- Very good experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is very friendly, helpful and open in contacts). Good experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is neutral in contacts). Bad experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is rather sceptical about tourists, little: friendly, helpful and open in contacts). Very bad experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community has a negative attitude towards tourists, is reluctant to provide help, often unethical words are uttered, individual manifestations of aggression).

Seasonal fluctuations

---- Very good experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is very friendly, helpful and open in contacts). Good experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is neutral in contacts). Bad experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community is rather sceptical about tourists, little: friendly, helpful and open in contacts). Very bad experiences of tourists in relations with residents (the local community has a negative attitude towards tourists, is reluctant to provide help, often unethical words are uttered, individual manifestations of aggression).

General information

---

Accessibility for wheelchair users, the deaf, ...

---- There is no problem for disabled tourists to accommodate and visit the attractions There is a possibility for disabled tourists to find accommodation and visit some attractions but it might be complicated. There is a possibility to accommodate but no or limited possibility to visit the attractions There is a possibility to visit the attractions but a no or limited possibility to accommodate There is no possibility for disabled tourists to accommodate and visit the attractions

% of businesses with sustainability/ecological certification

---- more than 20% 16-20% 11 - 15% up to 10%

Submit