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Abstract |
UNESCO designated areas, natural and cultural heritage including World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Global Geoparks are among the most visited places and attractions in the world. After a period of growth and challenges relating to visitor management and overtourism, the pandemic has demonstrated the vulnerability of tourism dependent communities. To build back better, we need tools and methodologies that help enhance adaptive and transformative capacity through a systems approach.The UNESCO Visitor Management Assessment & Strategy Tool (VMAST), developed within the context of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention (1972) and set out through the UNESCO World Heritage Sustainable Tourism programme, is a new addition to the World Heritage Sustainable Tourism Toolkit. As a voluntary self-assessment tool, it helps site management authorities manage visitation and tourism for the protection of heritage values while localizing sustainable development goals. |
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