Estimating the value of the World Heritage Site designation: a case study from Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park, Nepal

A World Heritage Site (WHS) designation can significantly boost economic value, as demonstrated by Sagarmatha National Park (Mount Everest), where knowledge of its WHS status increased visitors' willingness to pay (WTP) by $16.39 per trip—potentially adding up to $566,619 annually if better marketed. Using the contingent valuation method on 522 international visitors in 2011, researchers found that factors like age, education, and use of a guide influenced WTP, with a median value of $90.93 per trip. The optimal revenue-maximizing entry fee was determined to be $80, while 63.8% of visitors were already willing to pay more than the existing $30 fee. This study underscores the financial benefits of WHS designation and its potential to support sustainable tourism in protected areas amid declining public sector funding.

Baral, N., Kaul, S., Heinen, J. T., & Ale, S. B. (2017). Estimating the value of the World Heritage Site designation: a case study from Sagarmatha (Mount Everest) National Park, Nepal. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(12), 1776–1791. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2017.1310866