Qhapaq Ñan as World Heritage Site. New Tourist Destinations and Inherited Tensions in Argentina

Qhapaq Ñan, the Andean Road System, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 through a collaborative effort by six South American countries. A key insight from this study is that tourism played a dual role in Argentina's nomination process: it influenced the selection of archaeological sites with potential tourist appeal while also guiding the avoidance of areas with high conflict due to existing tourism pressures. The research focuses on Northwestern Argentina, analyzing how tourism interests shaped heritage site identification and recent projects designed to promote 'off the beaten track' tourism, aiming to mitigate conflicts. This case study highlights the complex interplay between heritage preservation, tourism development, and local tensions.

Troncoso, C. A. (2024). Qhapaq Ñan as World Heritage Site. New Tourist Destinations and Inherited Tensions in Argentina. Tourism Cases. https://doi.org/10.1079/tourism.2024.0064