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What are UNESCO and World Heritage?
An international treaty was enacted in 1972 called the World Heritage Convention. This treaty identified sites around the world of outstanding value to humanity, and signatory nations promised to protect and preserve these sites for future generations. The Secretariat for the treaty's work is in Paris, France, at the headquarters office of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), a specialized agency of the UN. Each year, member nations propose new natural or cultural sites to be added to the list.
Why is TripAdvisor partnering with UNESCO?
TripAdvisor has pledged to support UNESCO in protecting the places around the world that matter. TripAdvisor is able to provide technological and financial assistance that can expand UNESCO's efforts, and wants to engage its 45 million monthly visitors to act on behalf of World Heritage.
How is TripAdvisor helping?
TripAdvisor will engage its large and passionate community of 45 million monthly visitors to help in several ways:
–Encourage the contribution of reviews and opinions from its millions of members to provide much needed information about the condition of 936 World Heritage sites so that these may be better protected.
–Ask travelers to vote on the places they want to protect most, and encourage donations to help conserve and support sustainable and responsible tourism.
How are World Heritage sites selected?
Countries that have signed the World Heritage Convention, pledging to protect their natural and cultural heritage, can submit nomination proposals for sites on their territory. To be selected, sites must be of outstanding and universal value and meet at least one out of ten selection criteria.
How does UNESCO help protect World Heritage sites?
UNESCO has initiated several programs since the convention that help protect World Heritage sites around the world. The programs include efforts related to:
Sustainable Tourism: Raise World Heritage site awareness among local populations. Educate these communities on how to preserve local sites to stimulate tourism as well as economic, social and cultural development.
Disaster Risk Mitigation: Provide emergency assistance and establish preventative measures for sites endangered by manmade and natural disasters.
Climate Change: Research climate change impacts such as glacier melting, coral bleaching, and loss of biodiversity, as well as encourage countries to implement protective policies.
Conservation: Address challenges and develop solutions to World Heritage site conservation; protect metropolitan sites from the impact of urban development; establish initiatives for marine, forest and cultural conservation.
Education: Develop relationships with universities for team research projects. Hold youth forums and summer camps to teach young people about the importance of World Heritage sites.
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