Conclusions

Overview

At the outset, the aim of this text was to combine the issues raised via academic debate and research, with the more practical and applied results from individual properties and those involved in their management. It is hoped that this has been achieved through the eleven themed chapters in Parts One to Four and the nine case studies featured in Part Five. With over 800 sites currently inscribed on the World Heritage List spread widely among States Parties, it was always going to be impossible for the text to include reference to every site. However, the text has tried to deliver a representative overview of the management issues facing the many cultural, natural and mixed sites inscribed on the WHL with a particular focus on the need to balance the two predominant activities conservation and tourism. Although conservation, preservation and protection may have historically been the principal drivers for inscription, more recent trends suggest that the entire process is becoming more political, with motivations for nation building, national identity, and an eagerness to tap into the economic benefits to be derived from tourism at sites, becoming more prominent. However, the extent to which WHS status does in fact lead to increasing visitor levels from tourists remains somewhat vague.

As a number of chapters quite correctly stated, there remains insufficient evidence to date and a paucity of contemporary research that explains and explores this issue fully. The diversity of sites and varying resource levels, their location in developing...