ABSTRACT
The organization of this chapter was developed following a thorough review of the literature through which three specific themes emerged – namely, planning and policy (Planning), site-specific and place-based dynamics (Place), and local community and tourist-related considerations (People). These issues are all interrelated but have distinct requirements when discussing World Heritage management in a holistic fashion. Planning is essential to the continuation of the entirety of the World Heritage system as well as to ensuring that there is a degree of standardization in the implementation of management structures within the lower, more local system levels. This leads to a discussion of Place, which focuses on the challenges with the implementation of sustainable tourism management plans at the local level, with a special emphasis on less developed countries. The chapter then moves to the final theme, People, which emphasizes the importance of the local community within the World Heritage system and highlights the benefits of inclusion in local management processes as well as the problems that can appear when they are not given a seat at the table.
