Community involvement at Great Wall World Heritage sites, Beijing, China

Local communities adjacent to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Great Wall in Beijing, China, primarily benefit from heritage tourism without significant involvement in decision-making or management. A study comparing two sites revealed that while communities receive economic and social benefits, their participation in planning remains minimal. Researchers developed a two-dimensional framework assessing community involvement based on decision-making and benefit acquisition, highlighting disparities between these dimensions. The findings suggest opportunities for improvement in engaging local communities more effectively in heritage tourism governance.

Su, M. M., & Wall, G. (2013). Community involvement at Great Wall World Heritage sites, Beijing, China. Current Issues in Tourism, 18(2), 137–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2013.823917