Visitor perceptions of World Heritage value at Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, Nepal

Visitors to Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, Nepal, overwhelmingly perceive the site as authentic, with preserved integrity and outstanding universal value, despite its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1979 under criterion vii for natural beauty. A survey of 522 international visitors revealed that trip satisfaction and educational level were key predictors of these perceptions, while prior visits, substitutability, age, and income also influenced specific aspects of perceived value. The findings suggest that enhancing visitor experience through interpretation and professional guidance could foster more favorable attitudes toward the site's World Heritage status.

Baral, N., Hazen, H., & Thapa, B. (2017). Visitor perceptions of World Heritage value at Sagarmatha (Mt. Everest) National Park, Nepal. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(10), 1494–1512. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2017.1291647