Essere “World Heritage Site”. Rischi e opportunità del marchio UNESCO per le destinazioni alpine

The UNESCO World Heritage designation of the Dolomites, while highlighting its exceptional characteristics, has also triggered complex dynamics between conservation needs and increasing human activities. This study reveals that overtourism in natural sites can reduce landscapes to consumable and exhaustible global products, raising critical questions about the sustainability of such designations. It suggests that a radical rethinking is necessary to prevent these sites from becoming purely extractive locations. Conversely, it also explores opportunities presented by World Heritage status, including innovative governance models and integrated territorial management policies. The research adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating spatial practice, landscape ecology, and tourism studies, to critically interrogate the role of natural heritage in the 21st century amidst climate change and unsustainable tourism models.

Gigliotti, R., & Sarracino, E. (2026). Essere “World Heritage Site”. Rischi e opportunità del marchio UNESCO per le destinazioni alpine. Archalp, 16(2026). https://doi.org/10.30682/aa2616j