Managing cultural sites brings several issues and challenges, some are generally valid for most of the sites, and some are given by a specific situation or location. UNESCO sites are the most important and significant cultural sites the world heritage embraces. The sites have unreplaceable value and protection and sustainability are vital. Their preservation is well described and controlled from the architectural and historical perspective. Tourism brings, however, a new perspective, threats, motivations and relations – intensive usage, financial expectations, business, tourists´ expectations of unique experience and a kind of wow effect. The threat of commercialization, loss of authenticity and damage are real.

The target audience of this publication is all persons interested in sustainable development, mainly, but not exclusively, in cultural sites, seeking inspiration and good practices. Destination stakeholders like policymakers, DMO´s managers, municipality workers, attraction managers, but also students and teachers can find inspiration for tools and policies that work, work well, and can be transferred to other places.

  • Kladruby nad Labem – Community, shared values and responsibility
  • The decarbonization of tourism in Valencia
  • A unique place in terms of nature, Białowieża Forest
  • The “Wieliczka” salt mine
  • Historic UNESCO center of the town of Bardejov in Slovakia
  • A sustainable tourism policy for Krakow
  • The importance of the Ugarit heritage site for cultural tourism in Syria
  • Culture and religious tourism in Viet Nam