World Heritage: features, composition, and tourist significance

The UNESCO World Heritage designation has been shown to significantly enhance the preservation, prestige, and economic potential of cultural and natural sites globally. This study reveals that the institution of world heritage, established through international law, provides unique advantages such as guaranteed protection, increased global recognition, and financial support from the World Heritage Fund. It also promotes sustainable tourism, particularly ecological tourism, while ensuring monitoring and control over the state of preservation. As of 2020, the World Heritage List comprised 1,121 sites, with a notable concentration of cultural heritage in Eurasian countries and natural monuments in America and Africa. The study highlights that tourist revenue is a primary motivation for countries seeking inclusion on the list, with historic city centers like Florence being highly popular among tourists. To maintain balance and credibility, UNESCO now limits nominations to 45 per year, with only one nomination allowed per state.

Bezugly, V. V., Kostaschuk, Іvan I., Kisil, R. V., Yavorska, V. V., & Buyanovska, Lesyа Y. (2024). World Heritage: features, composition, and tourist significance. Journal of Geology, Geography and Geoecology, 33(3), 440–452. https://doi.org/10.15421/112441