UNESCO, World Heritage Convention and Sustainable Tourism Programme

UNESCOS Visitors Management Assessment Tool (VMAST) - currently being updated at UNESCO

UNESCO, Education for Sustainable Development. A Roadmap, 2020.

ICOMOS, The Valletta Principles for the Safeguarding and Management of Historic Cities, Towns and Urban Areas, 2011.

UNWTO, Tourism Congestion Management at Natural and Cultural Sites, 2004.

UCLG, Rome Charter: the right to participate fully and freely in cultural life is vital to our cities and communities, 2020.

To establish a practical system that monitors both tangible and intangible cultural heritage values as well as contributions to the welfare of the local community, the following approach could be considered:

1. Establish continuous monitoring by defining measurable indicators that cover the physical condition of cultural heritage sites, ecological conditions, social and cultural aspects, and economic conditions in the local community. This may include condition assessments of buildings, registration of cultural practices, and socio-economic indicators such as employment and local participation.

2. Develop and implement resilience indicators that are tailored to the specific conditions of the destination. These should cover physical wear and tear on cultural heritage sites, ecological sustainability, social and cultural resilience, and economic viability. The indicators must be based on local knowledge and professional assessments in order to be relevant and effective.

3. Implement on-site management measures, such as regulating group sizes, time-limited access, access control and zoning to reduce pressure on particularly vulnerable areas. These measures must be clearly communicated to visitors and carefully monitored.

4. Ensure broad and inclusive participation in the design and implementation of management plans. This includes active processes with local communities, cultural actors, tourism operators and other stakeholders to ensure that all perspectives and needs are taken into account.

5. Use visitor-related indicators to continuously monitor and balance safety, visitor experience and the sustainable functioning of the site. This includes measuring visitor numbers, user experiences and any negative effects such as wear and tear or conflicts.

The following reflection questions can contribute to reflection on inclusive planning, where cultural heritage, local communities and sustainable tourism are prioritised:

Monitoring and welfare

• How can systematic monitoring of tourism activities help to identify both positive and negative consequences for the welfare and cultural heritage of local communities?

• Which indicators should be prioritised to measure effects on local communities and cultural heritage, and how can these be integrated into the planning process?

Carrying capacity indicators and balance

• How can carrying capacity indicators be used to set limits on visitor numbers so that both natural and cultural values are preserved?

• What methods are available for conducting carrying capacity analyses, and how can the results be used to adapt measures in practice?

Site-specific measures

• What challenges may arise when implementing measures such as limiting group sizes and closing vulnerable areas, and how can these be addressed?​

• How can communication and dialogue with local communities help to reduce resistance to such measures?​

Participatory process

• Which groups should be involved in a participatory process to ensure broad representation and better management plans?

• How can municipalities ensure that all stakeholders have the opportunity to influence planning, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of different forms of participation?

Visitor-related indicators

• What types of visitor-related indicators can be used to monitor safety, visitor experience and functionality over time?

• How can data from such indicators be used to adjust measures and facilities to ensure sustainable development?