UNESCO World Heritage Designation

UNESCO World Heritage designation brings economic success to Hoi An Ancient Town, Vietnam, but raises concerns about social and environmental sustainability. The study highlights challenges such as land speculation, inflation, commodification of local culture, and environmental degradation, which threaten the long-term viability of heritage tourism in developing countries. Researchers analyzed the impacts on the local economy, residents, and environment, demonstrating that while tourism boosts economic growth, it also poses significant risks to cultural integrity and ecological health.

Bui, H. T., Le, T.-A., & Nguyen, C. H. (2017). UNESCO World Heritage Designation. Tourism and Opportunities for Economic Development in Asia, 250–260. https://doi.org/10.4018/978-1-5225-2078-8.ch015