Cultural heritage and sustainable tourism

THE International Council for Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory body to the UNESCO, celebrated last April 18 World Heritage Day, also called International Day for Monuments and Sites, whose establishment was approved by United Nations on November 26, 1983. World heritage is the shared wealth of humankind, a valuable asset of civilization, a reminder of a nation’s rich colorful past.

ICOMOS is the global organization of architects, archaeologists, art historians, geographers, town planners, and anthropologists who apply the theory, methodology, and scientific techniques to the conservation of architectural and archaeological heritage. ICOMOS Philippines is a member of the council.

The 2017 theme “Cultural Heritage & Sustainable Tourism,” was adopted in relation to UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals. It celebrates the positive outcomes of a deepening partnership between sustainable tourism development and cultural heritage conservation. Many countries now rank culture as a priority for sustainable tourism development. Culture, reflected in heritage and traditions as well as in contemporary art, languages, cuisine, music, handicrafts, museums, and literature, helps empower communities, fosters respect among people, and creates uniqueness between destinations.

The day focuses on the need to conserve ancient monuments and sites as cultural legacy and to raise awareness about their diversity, vulnerability, and efforts to protect them from physical and aesthetic damage for peoples’ enjoyment, as well as attract investment, regenerate cities, and stimulate global cooperation. Monuments and landmarks educate people on respectful coexistence, by promoting appreciation of other countries’ cultures.

UNESCO lists 1,031 World Heritage Sites of “outstanding universal value,” including six in the Philippines – Vigan City in Ilocos Norte, the Rice Terraces in the Cordilleras, the Subterranean River in Palawan, Baroque Churches (San Agustin in Manila, Nuestra Senora in Ilocos Sur, San Agustin in Ilocos Norte, and Sto. Tomas in Iloilo), Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in Sulu Sea/ Palawan, and Mt. Hamiguitan Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental. A UNESCO heritage site is a place (forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex or city) that is of special cultural or physical significance. Inclusion of a place or property in the World Heritage List is a tool for its protection. Natural world heritage sites include iconic places such as the Taj Majal, the Great Barrier Reef, Galapagos Islands, Machu Picchu, Angkor Wat, and Kilimanjaro.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reports that two-thirds of natural sites are likely to be well-conserved over time. The other face critical threats such as climate change, invasive species, tourism impact, poaching, and logging. IUCN, the world’s oldest environmental network, provides global assessment as well as tracks the status of all natural world heritage sites, recognizes excellence in their conservation and identifies actions to protect them.