Understanding community capacity-building at a local level for sustainable tourism in World Heritage Site: the case of Wulingyuan in China

A strong local demand for sustainable tourism was identified within the Wulingyuan World Heritage Site (WHS) through a community capacity-building (CCB) initiative. The study, conducted with residents and stakeholders, highlights the necessity of integrating sustainable practices to preserve the site's Outstanding Universal Value (OUV). This research contributes to global discussions on implementing CCB in WHSs by introducing a demonstration project that targeted critical stakeholders. The findings align with UNESCO's WH + ST programme, emphasizing the importance of community-driven approaches in balancing tourism development and conservation.

Zhu, Y., Li, J., & Han, F. (2023). Understanding community capacity-building at a local level for sustainable tourism in World Heritage Site: the case of Wulingyuan in China. Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change, 22(1), 21–43. https://doi.org/10.1080/14766825.2023.2241425