Site management
- management beyond Operational Guidelines
As a World Heritage site manager or coordinator you are entrusted the day to day management of the site with formal requirements set out through the Operational Guidelines for the Implementation of the World Heritage Convention and the site specific Management Plan.
Tourism and visitor management has become integral to site management. Main responsibilities of the individual property manager in relation to World Heritage and tourism includes:
- managing the impact of tourism upon the outstanding universal values (OUV) of the property;
- leading onsite presentation and provide meaningful visitor experiences;
- working with the tourist/visitor sector, aware the needs and experiences of tourists/visitors, to best protect the property; and,
- engaging with communities and business on conservation and development.
Cnf. Policy guidelines defining the relationship between World Heritage and sustainable tourism (2010)

Legal and institutional frameworks, policy documents, resources and good practices aside, there is no generally applicable approach balancing protection, use and development. World Heritage sites are all unique, where successful management focus on how to ensure its relevance in a local community context. With the view that sustainability in an increasingly unpredictable world rests upon the adaptive and transformative capacity of a community, World Heritage Catalysis seeks to support site management catalyse positive change through visitor management.
Featured resources
In your role as site manager/coordinator you need regular input and inspiration. Below are examples of relevant products, services and projects availed through Hub Store.