About World Heritage
About World Heritage
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What is World Heritage?
What do the Taj Mahal, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route have in common? They're all World Heritage sites—treasures of humanity prized by historians, ecologists, and art lovers, as well as by their own communities... Read more
The world has recognized 851 unique places—natural, cultural, and mixed—as World Heritage sites through a convention coordinated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Sites include:
- Many national parks in the U.S. and Canada, like Yellowstone, Banff, and the Everglades
- Well-known cultural attractions like Tikal, Machu Picchu, and Versailles
- Important biosphere preserves like the Serengeti, Great Barrier Reef, and Mexico's Sian Ka'an bird sanctuary
- Places of archeological, historical, or evolutionary significance, including the cave paintings of Lascaux, Robben Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned), and the Galapagos Islands, which helped inspire Darwin's theory of natural selection
Quick facts
- There are currently 851 World Heritage sites in 141 countries.
- There are three categories of World Heritage sites—cultural, natural, or mixed.
- The World Heritage Convention was adopted by UNESCO in 1972. The United States was the first country to ratify the World Heritage Convention.
- In 1978, the first 12 World Heritage sites were inscribed. They included Yellowstone National Park and the Galapagos Islands.
- If a site is threatened, UNESCO helps create a plan—and often provides funding—to ensure the site’s preservation. There are currently 30 sites on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
What is Expedia doing for World Heritage?
In the fall of 2005, Expedia, Inc. joined forces with the UN Foundation to create the World Heritage Alliance for Sustainable Tourism and the Friends of World Heritage. Our goal? To support World Heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and local economic development for communities in and around World Heritage sites... Read more
In addition to financial support, our initiatives include:
- Inspiring travelers to explore World Heritage sites. Trips to World Heritage sites are currently available through Expedia.com, Expedia.co.uk, Expedia.fr and Expedia.de.
- Promoting economic development. Expedia and the UN Foundation donate funds, as well as Expedia employee travel-industry expertise, to help locally-owned tourism enterprises increase the economic well-being of their people through sustainable tourism.
- Encouraging public awareness and involvement. Through Friends of World Heritage, we provide a way for travelers and others to learn more about and support World Heritage conservation, sustainable tourism, and local development. Expedia and the UN Foundation match grassroots donations made online, up to $50,000 per year by each partner.
What can you do?
Even the smallest steps you take toward sustainability can add up to big benefits. Read our article, Tips for Responsible Travel, to learn how you can make a positive impact on the World Heritage sites you visit... Read more
You can also make a tax-deductible donation to the Friends of World Heritage through www.friendsofworldheritage.org. This fund supports the development of livelihoods that build community support for and help protect World Heritage sites. Your donations—up to a total of $50,000 per year—will be matched 1:1 by Expedia, and 1:1 again by the UN Foundation.
Responsible travel to World Heritage sites does more than open our eyes to natural beauty and cultural achievement. It stimulates local economies and helps preserve places that matter. To lean more about World Heritage, visit whc.unesco.org, www.friendsofworldheritage.org, www.unfoundation.org, and www.worldheritagealliance.org.
Responsible travel to World Heritage sites does more than open our eyes to natural beauty and cultural achievement. It stimulates local economies and helps preserve places that matter. To lean more about World Heritage, visit whc.unesco.org, www.friendsofworldheritage.org, www.unfoundation.org, and www.worldheritagealliance.org.
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