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UNESCO World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Programme

The Programme implemented from 2011 creates an international framework for cooperation and coordinated achievement across sectors in order to safeguard heritage and achieve sustainable economic development. The main results from the implementation of the programme include: Integrate sustainable tourism principles into the mechanisms of the World Heritage Convention. Strengthen the enabling environment by advocating policies, strategies, frameworks and tools that support sustainable tourism as an important vehicle for protecting and managing cultural and natural heritage of Outstanding Universal Value. Promote broad stakeholder engagement in the planning, development and management of sustainable tourism that follows a destination approach to heritage conservation and focuses on empowering local communities. Provide World Heritage stakeholders with the capacity and the tools to manage tourism efficiently, responsibly and sustainably based on the local context and needs. Promote quality tourism products and services that encourage responsible behaviour among all stakeholders and foster understanding and appreciation of the concept of Outstanding Universal Value and protection of World Heritage.