Scaling innovative, low-impact tourism practices in African mixed world heritage sites post-COVID: perspectives from Maloti-Drakensberg Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Mixed UNESCO World Heritage Sites (WHS) require tailored recovery frameworks to effectively scale low-impact tourism practices post-pandemic, according to new research. The study, focusing on Maloti-Drakensberg Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area, reveals that while both sites demonstrated operational resilience through health protocols, digital engagement, and domestic tourism pivots, they face persistent systemic barriers such as governance fragmentation, limited innovation capacity, and cultural resistance to scientific adaptation. These findings underscore the need for integrated governance, diversified funding, and inclusive policy reform to strengthen long-term sustainability in African mixed WHS contexts. The research draws on qualitative interviews with 12 key informants in site management and planning roles, providing rare empirical insights from under-represented regions.

Mchunu, P., Mearns, K., Makoni, L., & Mariki, S. B. (2026). Scaling innovative, low-impact tourism practices in African mixed world heritage sites post-COVID: perspectives from Maloti-Drakensberg Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Journal of Cultural Heritage Management and Sustainable Development, 16(7), 452–465. https://doi.org/10.1108/jchmsd-05-2025-0144