Legacy: Conservation & Livelihoods
PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM
Tourism is the world’s largest industry, and constantly growing. One in every 12 jobs is tourism related, and tourism-related activities generate more than $3.6 trillion a year. Yet, all the impacts of tourism aren’t positive. Blatant disregard for the environmental and cultural impacts of travel on World Heritage sites has led to site degradation, and unless we act quickly many of the sites will not recover. Promoting sustainable travel is a way to encourage responsible travel and help protect World Heritage sites. Learn more »
COMMUNITY-BASED ENTERPRISES
Fostering small, local businesses and helping them better promote their goods and services is a tangible way to have a positive impact on the communities around World Heritage sites. By doing this, we have helped ensure that local customs and cultures are maintained, jobs are created and communities grow, sustainably. Learn more »
PROMOTING MARKET ACCESS
Local producers and manufacturers are an important source of products for businesses around World Heritage sites. Working with governments, corporations and other partners, we have explored how these local-based entrepreneurs are ensured fair and equal access to the global marketplace. Learn more »
LATEST STORY OF IMPACT
The Galapagos Islands - Biodiversity on the Brink
Area of Involvement: Sustainable Development
Many of us first read about the Galápagos Islands in a high school biology text book. Charles Darwin's famous theory of evolution was inspired by his visit to one of the largest, most complex, most diverse, and best preserved ocean archipelagos on earth. Because of its outstanding and universal value, the Galápagos Islands were fittingly designated as our planet's first World Heritage site in 1978.
