The effects of local context on World Heritage Site management: the Dolomites Natural World Heritage Site, Italy

UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS) designation in the Dolomites, Italy, appears to exacerbate socio-economic divides between areas inside and outside the site, driven by tourism development disparities. While stakeholders within the WHS—where tourism-driven prosperity is already high—show increased indirect participation in decision-making and higher expectations for further development, those outside the WHS or in marginal destinations experience no significant benefits in terms of governance, economic growth, or tourism as a development tool. Despite strong belief in the value of WHS status and minimal opposition to regulations, there is a call for reduced reliance on financial incentives and improved business culture. The study used mixed methods at Italy's lowest administrative level to analyze stakeholder engagement and governance, offering preliminary recommendations for more effective stakeholder involvement.

Della Lucia, M., & Franch, M. (2017). The effects of local context on World Heritage Site management: the Dolomites Natural World Heritage Site, Italy. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(12), 1756–1775. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2017.1316727