World Heritage and/as placemaking: Learning from the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in China

UNESCO's World Heritage Program not only designates sites for their Outstanding Universal Value but also shapes them into tourist attractions, revealing a complex interplay between heritage conservation and tourism. A study of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in China demonstrates that tourism is deeply embedded in the heritage-making process, influencing how heritage boundaries are defined and narratives constructed. Researchers propose an alternative model—'locate the idea of heritage – idealize heritage narrative – reproduce heritage narrative'—to analyze this process. The findings highlight that while UNESCO's designation aims to preserve cultural landscapes, it also involves strategic compromises to enhance accessibility and management, ensuring the site's continued relevance as a tourist destination.

Wang, Y., & Stock, M. (2024). World Heritage and/as placemaking: Learning from the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces in China. Mondes Du Tourisme. https://doi.org/10.4000/tourisme.6729