Socio-economic impacts of a UNESCO world heritage site on local communities: A study of Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram

UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) designation enhances local visibility and tourism but its benefits are unevenly distributed. A study of the Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram—a 2004-listed site in India’s Great Living Chola Temples—reveals that while WHS status boosts informal tourism jobs and sustains traditional crafts, challenges like inadequate infrastructure, weak market linkages for artisans, and poor governance coordination hinder equitable development. The research combines secondary data (government reports, ASI publications) with field observations and local stakeholder interviews, showing that cultural pride and historical awareness have grown but structural gaps persist. Integrated planning and community engagement are critical to unlocking WHS potential for inclusive growth.

Kumar, K. S., & S, T. (2026). Socio-economic impacts of a UNESCO world heritage site on local communities: A study of Airavatesvara Temple, Darasuram. International Journal of Tourism and Hotel Management, 8(7), 01–03. https://doi.org/10.22271/27069583.2026.v8.i7a.237