Pre-Hispanic City and National Park of Palenque

The tourism and local development in world heritage context. The case of the Mayan site of Palenque, Mexico

A shift from traditional management models to participatory approaches could reduce social tensions, foster local development through tourism, and improve quality of life for Indigenous communities at UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This study examines the case of Palenque, Mexico, analyzing how tourism impacts local development while considering the role of Indigenous peoples in archaeology and UNESCO policies. The research highlights the empowerment processes of modern Mayan people and their reactions to governmental investments in tourism infrastructure. Fieldwork data collected in 2014 and 2016 reveal that effective implementation of World Heritage policies by both government and local stakeholders is crucial for sustainable development.