Preserving the cultural identity of a World Heritage Site: the impact of Chichen Itza’s souvenir vendors

Excessive and often intrusive souvenir vending at Chichen Itza, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (WHS), undermines both visitor experience and the site's cultural authenticity. A study combining participant observation, photography, and social media analysis revealed that Maya-descent vendors' retail activities—perceived as economically driven rather than culturally rooted—negatively impact the site's socio-cultural sustainability. While the findings suggest a need for stakeholder reforms to balance economic benefits with heritage preservation, they also highlight broader challenges in managing WHSs where commercialization and political influence risk long-term sustainability. Recommendations include stricter government oversight, re-evaluation of socio-economic benefits, and efforts to reconcile cultural identity with contemporary Mexican society.

Milman, A. (2015). Preserving the cultural identity of a World Heritage Site: the impact of Chichen Itza’s souvenir vendors. International Journal of Culture, Tourism and Hospitality Research, 9(3), 241–260. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijcthr-06-2015-0067